Infancy Defense
/ˈɪnfənsi dɪˌfɛns/
Definitions
- (n.) A legal defense asserting that a defendant is not liable due to being below the age of legal responsibility, typically applied to minors who cannot be held criminally accountable.
The defendant successfully invoked the infancy defense, proving he was underage at the time of the offense.
Forms
- infancy defense
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Often limited to criminal law, the infancy defense focuses on the defendant’s age and maturity to establish incapacity to form criminal intent.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.