affirmative defense

glossary / affirmative defense
A defendant’s assertion of facts and arguments that, if true, will defeat the plaintiff’s or prosecution’s claim, even if all the allegations in the complaint are true.

• The defendant bears the burden of proving an affirmative defense. Examples of affirmative defenses are duress (in a civil case) and insanity and self-defense (in a criminal case).

— Also termed plea in avoidance; plea in justification. Cf. negative defense. [Cases: Criminal Law 31; Federal Civil Procedure 751; Pleading 78. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 15, 46–49, 88, 93–94; Pleading §§ 160–161.]

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affirmative defense 〈美〉肯定性答辩；积极的答辩 指被告并不否认原告所主张之事实的真实性，而是提出其他的理由来说明为什么自己不应承担责任的答辩。因此，它并不反驳原告诉求之真实性，而只是否认原告在法律上有起诉的权利。根据联邦及大多数州的民事诉讼规则，所有的肯定性答辩都必须在应答书状〔responsive pleading〕即答辩状〔answer〕中提出，且被告对其所提之事由负证明责任。这些事由包括和解和清偿〔accord and satisfaction〕、自担风险〔assumption of risk〕、混合过失〔contributory negligence〕、胁迫〔duress〕、时效、不容否认〔estoppel〕等。在刑事诉讼中，构成肯定性答辩的事由包括精神失常、醉酒、自卫、无意识行为〔automatism〕、不在犯罪现场〔alibi〕、受胁迫等。

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