Excuse Law and Legal Definition
Excuse means to relieve from a duty or obligation. It also means a reason for being relieved from duty or obligation. An excuse can reduce damages partially or entirely. Excuses are granted either because the tort feasor had no choice or because they had no intention to commit the act or its consequences. Minor children, lunatics, and the infirm may be excused due to their lack of discernment. Self defense and destruction of a good to prevent a greater evil is an excuse because the defendant had no choice.
