Can a mistake of fact be a defense in a criminal case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Holt, G043354 (Cal. App. 2011):

Mistake of fact can impact criminal responsibility in two common situations. First, where a defendant is charged with a general intent crime, a good faith mistake of fact may constitute a defense. (Cf. Ceja v. Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 584, 603 (Ceja); People v. Russell (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 1415,

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