Consent (as a term of
jurisprudence) is a possible
justification for breaking the
law.
Defendants who use this
defense are arguing that they should not be held
liable for a
crime, since the
actions in question were taken with the "victim's" consent and permission. For example, if one
signs a
document stating that one is aware of the hazards of
paintball, and that individual is then injured playing the
game; it is possible that the person who
shot said individual, in the
eye, cannot be held liable. Consent has also been used as a defense in cases involving accidental deaths, which occurred during
sexual bondage.
Time (
May 23,
1988) referred to this latter example, as the "
Rough-Sex Defense".