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3 Types Of Criminal Defenses You Need To Know

22 October 2021

Deann Miles

Criminal defense cases can be very complex because they involve a person's freedom and reputation. If you're involved with such cases, you need to understand the types of defenses that are available. Criminal defense lawyers can help you with your case and ensure your rights are protected. This article discusses three types of criminal defenses you need to know.

1. Self-Defense

Self-defense occurs when somebody injures or kills another person while protecting themselves or another person from a violent crime. A person who commits an act of self-defense is not guilty, or is less culpable, than if they had committed the crime without defense. This type of defense often happens when there is no opportunity for retreat, and you are forced into your actions because it is either fight back or die.

If you are facing charges for this type of defense, a criminal defense attorney can help you. They'll prove you're defending yourself and have your charges dropped or reduced. They know how to collect evidence to show that what occurred during the incident was a necessary act of defending yourself in a situation where there was imminent threat.

2. Insanity Defense

In certain situations, a person may not be responsible for their crimes if they were legally insane at the time of the crime. You may experience insanity because of trauma, substance abuse issues, or other factors. In order to use this defense, your lawyer must prove that you were not of sound mind, or unable to tell right from wrong when the crime occurred. 

3. Innocence

Even though many people think that you cannot be charged with a crime if you are innocent, this may not necessarily be the case. Innocence can take on many different forms.

A lawyer can prove your innocence if you didn't commit an act or wrongdoing against another person or property. They can also prove it if you're entangled in a mistake or accident including negligence involving product liability claims. Your lawyer can also use an alibi from your friends or family members to prove you were not present at the scene of the crime in question and could have therefore not committed it. Having a criminal lawyer on your side who understands different forms of evidence gathering within every particular area can be key to achieving success during a trial.

These are some types of criminal defenses that you need to know about. Understanding them can help you work with your lawyer to build up the best possible defense for your case.

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