Legal Definitions - empty-chair defense

Definition: Empty-chair defense is a legal strategy used in a trial involving multiple parties. It involves one defendant trying to shift all the blame onto a defendant who has already settled or plea-bargained before the trial or on someone who was not named as a party.

Example: In a car accident case involving three drivers, one of the drivers who caused the accident may use the empty-chair defense by blaming the driver who has already settled out of court or a pedestrian who was not involved in the accident.

Explanation: The defendant who uses the empty-chair defense tries to convince the jury that the person who is not present in the courtroom is the one who should be held responsible for the accident. This strategy is often used to create confusion and doubt in the minds of the jury and to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.