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Criminal charges

alibi

An alibi is a form of evidence used to defend against a criminal charge by demonstrating that the accused was somewhere other than the scene of the crime when the crime was committed.

In Pennsylvania, as in other jurisdictions, an alibi is indeed a defense strategy used in criminal proceedings. An alibi defense involves presenting evidence that the accused was in a different location at the time the crime was committed, making it impossible or highly unlikely for them to be the perpetrator. The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure require that if a defendant intends to rely on an alibi defense, they must provide the prosecution with notice of their intention to use an alibi and specific information about the alibi, including the place where they claim to have been and the names and addresses of witnesses who will support the alibi. This notice must be given within a specific time frame, typically before the trial begins. Failure to provide timely notice can result in the exclusion of the alibi evidence. The burden of proof in a criminal trial remains on the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but an alibi can be a powerful piece of evidence to counter the prosecution's case.

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Criminal charges

alibi

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Pennsylvania State Code

Pennsylvania State Code

Criminal charges

alibi

Articles