Provocation Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Provocation, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Provocation?

It is an act of provoking someone to do a certain act which is normally associated to danger, anger, illegal acts or getting out of control. If proved in the court of law, that the accused was provoked or incited into doing a crime,can lead to softening the severity of punishment he/she was ought to receive or be aquitted.

History and Meaning of Provocation

Provocation is a legal term that refers to the act of intentionally inciting, irritating or annoying another person to the point of eliciting an aggressive or violent response. The concept of provocation has been a part of various legal systems for centuries, with some of the earliest examples dating back to Roman law.

Examples of Provocation

  1. In a case of domestic violence, the accused may claim that they were provoked into the act by their partner's behavior.
  2. A person may argue that they were acting in self-defense after being provoked by the actions of the person they injured or killed.
  3. In a workplace conflict, an employee may argue that their actions were a result of provocation by their supervisor or coworkers.
  4. During a political protest, a participant may allege that they were provoked by law enforcement officers and therefore acted in self-defense.

Legal Terms Similar to Provocation

  • Self-defense: The use of force in response to an immediate threat of harm.
  • Assault: An intentional act that causes another person to fear immediate physical harm.
  • Aggravated assault: A more serious form of assault that involves the use of a deadly weapon or causes serious bodily injury.