What are some of the common defenses used in a violent crime case?

When a person is charged with a violent crime, they may attempt to use a number of different defenses to try and avoid justice. Common defenses used in violent crime cases in California include self-defense, duress, false accusations, and alibi. Self-defense is a legal defense in which the accused argues that they were forced to act in order to protect themselves, another person, or property from an imminent threat of harm. When arguing self-defense, the accused must have had a reasonable belief that they were in danger at the time of the alleged crime. Duress is when the accused is forced to commit a crime by a third person. This defense can only be used if the accused reasonably believed that they would suffer serious bodily harm or death if they refused to commit the crime. False accusations occur when the accused is charged with a crime based on evidence that was fabricated or not properly investigated. The accused must prove that there was no reasonable cause to believe that they committed the crime. The final defense that can be used in a violent crime case is an alibi. This is when the accused provides evidence that shows they were in a different place at the time of the alleged crime and could not have committed it. Depending on the evidence presented, any of these defenses may be used to help the accused in a violent crime case in California. Ultimately, it is up to the court to decide if the defense presented is valid or not.

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What are some of the common defenses used in a violent crime case?

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