What is an alibi?

An alibi is fundamentally defined as a claim that a person was at a different location during the time a crime occurred, thereby suggesting that they could not have committed the crime in question. This defense relies on proving that the individual was elsewhere when the event took place, thus providing a basis for asserting their innocence. It can often involve presenting evidence such as video surveillance, witness statements, or documentation that corroborates the person's location during the time of the alleged crime.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of an alibi. A legal defense claiming the defendant's innocence can take various forms and is broader than an alibi, which specifically addresses location. A statement from a witness against the accused refers instead to testimony that may be used to incriminate the defendant, while a plea for leniency in sentencing does not pertain to the act of defending against a charge but rather to seeking a more favorable outcome after a conviction. Therefore, the definition as a claim of being in a different location during a crime is what sets an alibi apart from other legal concepts.