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==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] escusen, excusen, < Old French escuser, excuser
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1a : something offered as [[justification]] or as grounds for being excused
:b plural : an [[expression]] of regret for [[failure]] to do something
:c : a note of [[explanation]] of an [[absence]]
*2: justification, reason
==Description==
In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurisprudence jurisprudence], an '''excuse''' or justification is a [[defense]] to [[criminal]] charges that is distinct from an exculpation. In this [[context]], "to excuse" means to grant or obtain an exemption for a [[group]] of [[persons]] sharing a common characteristic from a [[potential]] [[liability]]. "To justify" as in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justifiable_homicide justifiable homicide] means to "vindicate" or show the [[justice]] in the particular [[conduct]]. Thus, [[society]] [[approves]] of the [[purpose]] or [[motives]] underpinning some [[actions]] or the [[consequences]] flowing from them (see Robinson), and distinguishes those where the [[behavior]] cannot be [[approved]] but some excuse may be found in the characteristics of the defendant, e.g. that the accused was a serving [[police]] officer or [[suffering]] from a mental illness. Thus, a [[justification]] describes the [[quality]] of the [[act]], whereas an excuse relates to the [[status]] or capacity (or lack of it) in the accused. "To exculpate" means to [[free]] an [[individual]] from culpability after they have caused loss or damage, and to [[represent]] this in a [[judgment]] that is either an acquittal, mitigates sentencing in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law criminal law], or reduces or extinguishes the [[liability]] to pay compensation to the [[victim]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_(common_law) civil law].

[[Category: Law]]

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