Legal Definitions - excuse

Definition: An excuse is a reason given in court to avoid being held responsible for something. If someone has a valid excuse, they will not be punished for their actions.

For example, if someone is charged with driving under the influence (DUI), they may use an excuse defense if they were driving an injured person to the hospital and there was no other way to get them there. In this case, the driver may not be punished for DUI because they had a valid excuse for their actions.

Another example of an excuse could be if someone was late for work because their car broke down on the way. They could use this as an excuse for being late, and their employer may not punish them for it.

Overall, an excuse is a reason given to avoid being held responsible for something. It is important to note that not all excuses are valid, and it is up to a judge or employer to determine if an excuse is acceptable.