Exempting circumstances - are circumstances where, although the act is criminal, the law exempts the actor from liability. A crime is committed but the law exempts the actor from criminal liability. 

In exempting, the crime is committed but there is absent in the person of the offender any element of voluntariness, and so he is not criminally liable but is civilly liable except in the exempting circumstances of accident and lawful or insuperable cause.


What is the reason for the exemption?

The reason for the exemption lies on the complete absence of intelligence, freedom of action, or intent, or on the absence of negligence on the part of the accused.

(1) One who acts without intelligence, freedom of action or intent does not act with malice.
(2) One who acts without intelligence, freedom of action or fault does not act with negligence.


What are the 6 exempting circumstances?

(1)  Imbecility/Insanity
(2)  Minority
(3)  Accident
(4)  Compulsion of irresistible force
(5)  Impulse of uncontrollable fear
(6)  Insuperable or lawful cause