Innovative Defense

Innovative defenses (the invention of which is sometimes called creative lawyering) are relatively new and untried defenses for having committed a criminal act. Being innovative, there is little or no precedent bearing upon them. Such defenses include:

  • the abuse defense
    • Battered woman defence
  • premenstrual stress syndrome
  • the biological defense (the "Twinkie Defense")
  • "Black rage"
  • urban survival syndrome.

Parodies of innovative defenses are sometimes seen in entertainment, for example the Chewbacca Defense.


Famous quotes containing the words innovative and/or defense:

    A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.
    Malcolm Bradbury (b. 1932)

    For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.
    Aeschylus (525–456 B.C.)