Four kinds of defences
(and the claims they amount to)

1. Failures of proof. "I didn't do it."

2. Excuses. "I did it, but I wasn't responsible."

3. Justifications. "I did it, I was responsible, but it was permissible."

(Actors are excused, actions are justified.)

4. Non-exculpatory public policy defences. "I did it, I was responsible, it wasn't permissible, but in the interests of public policy I should be set free."

Back to [Overheads].