Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
Most people here aren't condoning violence. I do think it lessens culpability if someone has been provoked, as does the law, which allows for lighter sentences for people who have been provoked into violence.
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I'm not sure provocation is taken into account to the extent you think it is. I am pretty sure it does not form a defence. However, it could be taken into account when determining whether the accused had a reasonable belief that they were under physical threat and needed to defend themselves. I can't envision a scenario where provocation would alone justify violence without the fear of being assaulted. Unfortunately, it tends to bleed into the freedom-of-speech issue.