ATTORNEY: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, hear my plea There's more to every story than what you first see Sometimes what looks like a crime upon its face Has justification that we need to embrace! [Verse 1 - Self-Defense] DEFENDANT: There I stood, with my back against the wall Reasonable fear that I was going to fall Proportional force was all I used that night Self-defense, yes, that is my right! CHORUS: (When can you claim it?) Reasonable belief of harm! (What can you do?) Use proportional force to disarm! (Remember...) No more force than needed to be free That's what self-defense means, you see! [Verse 2 - Necessity] DEFENDANT: Had to break into that cabin in the storm Temperature dropping far below the norm Choose between two evils, took the lesser one Necessity defense has now begun! LEGAL CHORUS: Necessity requires Avoiding greater harm No reasonable alternative To raise the alarm! [Verse 3 - Insanity] PSYCHIATRIST & DEFENDANT (duet): M'Naghten's Rule shows us the way Could they understand wrong from right that day? Or was their mind so deeply impaired? That responsibility should not be shared? CHORUS: (Was there understanding?) Of the nature of the act? (Could they recognize?) Right from wrong, that's the fact! [Verse 4 - Duress] DEFENDANT: Threats against my life, what could I do? No reasonable escape was coming through Forced to act against my will that day Duress means the guilt should fall away! LEGAL CHORUS: Immediate threats of harm No reasonable escape Wasn't voluntary choice That's how duress takes shape! [Bridge - Ensemble] ALL: Every defense has elements to prove Burden of proof has got to move Some need just reasonable doubt Others need more to win the bout! [Grand Finale] DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Self-defense! When force meets force! Necessity! When choice is gone! Insanity! When minds aren't clear! Duress! When threats leave no choice here! FULL ENSEMBLE: These are the defenses that the law provides Each with its elements where truth resides Look at the facts, examine them well That's how criminal defenses tell their tale! [Closing - Soft, Thoughtful] DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Remember,
