When the defendant admits to the existence of all of the necessary legal elements for criminal liability but offers one or more legally recognized reasons why s/he should nonetheless be acquitted,it is called

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The situation described in the question is an example of an affirmative defense, which is a legal term for a type of defense used by defendants to offset or excuse their criminal liability, even if the prosecution can prove all of the elements of their crime. By admitting to the existence of the necessary legal elements, the defendant is essentially conceding that they committed the crime in question, but is arguing that there are reasons why they should not be held accountable under the law. Examples of affirmative defenses include self-defense, insanity, duress, and consent, among others.

When the Defendant Admits to the Existence of All of the Necessary