Innovative Defense

Innovative defenses (the invention of which is sometimes called creative lawyering) are relatively new and untried defenses for having committed a criminal act. Being innovative, there is little or no precedent bearing upon them. Such defenses include:

  • the abuse defense
    • Battered woman defence
  • premenstrual stress syndrome
  • the biological defense (the "Twinkie Defense")
  • "Black rage"
  • urban survival syndrome.

Parodies of innovative defenses are sometimes seen in entertainment, for example the Chewbacca Defense.


Famous quotes containing the words innovative and/or defense:

    A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.
    Malcolm Bradbury (b. 1932)

    There’s no telling what might have happened to our defense budget if Saddam Hussein hadn’t invaded Kuwait that August and set everyone gearing up for World War IIĀ½. Can we count on Saddam Hussein to come along every year and resolve our defense-policy debates? Given the history of the Middle East, it’s possible.
    —P.J. (Patrick Jake)