provocation
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Provocation
Conduct by which one induces another to do a particular deed; the act of inducing rage, anger, or resentment in another person that may cause that person to engage in an illegal act.
Provocation may be alleged as a defense to certain crimes in order to lessen the severity of the penalty normally imposed. For example, provocation that would cause a reasonable person to act in a heat of passion—a state of mind where one acts without reflection—may result in a reduction of a charge of murder to a charge of voluntary Manslaughter.
provocation
in the criminal law, a doctrine that may mitigate an offence. It will reduce a charge of murder to manslaughter in England or to culpable homicide in Scotland. In the civil law in Scotland, provocation can reduce the damages payable for an assault in delict, but not in England for tort.PROVOCATION. The act of inciting another to do something.
2. Provocation simply, unaccompanied by a crime or misdemeanor, does
not justify the person provoked to commit an assault and battery. In cases
of homicide, it may reduce the offence from murder to manslaughter. But when
the provocation is given for the purpose of justifying or excusing an
intended murder, and the party provoked is killed, it is no justification. 2
Gilb. Ev. by Lofft, 753.
3. The unjust provocation by a wife of her husband, in consequence of
which she suffers from his ill usage, will not entitle her to a divorce on
the ground of cruelty; her remedy, in such cases, is by changing her
manners. 2 Lee,, R. 172; 1 Hagg. Cons. Rep. 155. Vide Cruelty; To Persuade;
1 Russ. on Cr. B. 3, c. 1, s. 1, page 434, and B. 3, c. 3, s. 1, pa e 486; 1
East, P. C. 232 to 241.