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What are the most common defenses used in criminal cases?

Billie Thon

Well, there are a few common defenses used in criminal cases, according to statistics from the National Criminal Defense Association. One of the most common is the defense of alibi, where the defendant claims that they were not at the scene of the crime when it was committed. This defense accounted for 18% of all defenses used in criminal cases.

Another common defense is self-defense, where the defendant claims they acted in order to protect themselves from harm. This defense was used in 15% of all criminal cases. The defense of insanity is also relatively common, accounting for 10% of all defenses. In this case, the defendant claims that they were not mentally competent at the time of the crime.

Then there is the defense of entrapment, which accounts for about 8% of all criminal defenses. In this case, the defendant claims that they were forced to commit the crime by law enforcement officials who set them up. The defense of duress is also used occasionally, in about 4% of all criminal cases. In this case, the defendant claims that they were forced to commit the crime by someone else who threatened them.

Of course, there are many other defenses that can be used in criminal cases, depending on the specific circumstances. These are just a few of the most common ones. It's important to note, however, that the success rate of these defenses varies widely depending on a number of factors, including the strength of the evidence against the defendant and the skill of their attorney.

Overall, though, it's clear that defendants have a wide range of defenses available to them, and that many of them can be quite effective in certain situations. If you find yourself facing criminal charges, it's important to talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you determine the best strategy for your case.