What are some common defenses used in criminal cases?

The selection of self-defense, mental disorder, mistake of fact, and duress as common defenses in criminal cases is grounded in established legal principles that address both the justification for a defendant's actions and their mental state at the time of the alleged offense.

Self-defense is a significant defense that allows a person to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm. This defense acknowledges that individuals have a right to protect themselves when facing an unlawful threat. The key aspect is that the response must be proportional to the threat faced.

Mental disorder serves as a defense by arguing that a defendant was not in a sound mental state when committing the crime, which impaired their ability to understand the nature of their behavior or distinguish right from wrong. This defense can lead to different legal outcomes, ranging from acquittal to a verdict requiring treatment instead of punishment.

Mistake of fact refers to situations where the defendant might have had a reasonable belief in a mistaken fact that negates the intent required for the crime. For example, if a person takes someone else's property believing it to be theirs due to a genuine misunderstanding, this might be a valid defense.

Duress applies when a defendant commits a crime due to being threatened with immediate harm unless they comply. The law recognizes that under extreme