The Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
Chapter 11: Excuse Me!
Excuse pg 4: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference?
In cases where you’re excused, you’ll find that you had a choice. You chose to commit an otherwise criminal act, but under circumstances that made it the socially acceptable choice.
Average Joe pondering two options: “Do It” and “Don’t Do It,” both of which are labeled “good”
In cases where you’re justified, the law says you had no choice. You committed an otherwise harmful act, but under circumstances where society says there was no other option.
Average Joe looking determined, between “Do It,” labeled “good” and “Don’t Do It,” labeled “NOT AN OPTION”
Let’s see how these play out.
