In
criminal law,
provocation may be either or both a statutory or
common law possible
defense or an
offense. Provocation may be a defense by
excuse or exculpation alleging a sudden or temporary loss of control (a permanent loss of control is in the realm of
insanity) as a response to another's provocative conduct sufficient to justify an acquittal, a mitigated
sentence or a conviction for a lesser charge. Provocation can be a relevant factor in a court's assessment of a defendant's
mens rea, intention, or state of mind, at the time of an act of which the defendant is accused.