Alibi: legal definition and example

Definition

An alibi is evidence that the accused was somewhere else when the crime was committed, and therefore could not have committed it.

Example

You are accused of a crime you did not commit. At the time of the offence, you were having dinner with friends at a restaurant across town. The testimony of your friends, the restaurant receipt or video footage can support your alibi.

To carry its full weight, an alibi should be disclosed to the prosecution early enough to allow it to be verified. A criminal defence lawyer can advise you on how and when to do so.

Legal references

In Canada, the rules on disclosure of an alibi come from case law, notably the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Cleghorn (1995).

This definition is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer.