Legal Definitions - reasonable provocation

Reasonable provocation refers to a situation where a person is provoked to act impulsively due to something that would affect their self-control and reasoning. This can be caused by words or actions that incite a person to commit a crime without premeditation.

For example, if someone insults another person and that person reacts by physically attacking them, the insult could be considered reasonable provocation. However, if the person had planned the attack beforehand, it would not be considered reasonable provocation.

Reasonable provocation can be used as a defense in criminal cases, such as reducing a charge from murder to voluntary manslaughter. It is important to note that the provocation must be adequate and would cause a reasonable person to act without self-control.