# Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-804: Defenses and affirmative defenses

> Arkansas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-804

## Section

- **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-804
- **Heading:** Defenses and affirmative defenses
- **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AR Code / Title 12 / Chapter 18 / Subchapter 8 / Section 12-18-804

## Text

For any act or omission of child maltreatment that would be a criminal offense or an act of delinquency, any defense or affirmative defense, including the burden of proof regarding the affirmative defense, that would apply to the criminal offense or delinquent act is also cognizable in a child maltreatment proceeding with the exception of: (1) A statute of limitation; (2) Lack of capacity as a result of mental disease or defect under § 5-2-312 ; and (3) Affirmative defenses under §§ 5-1-112 - 5-1-114 . Acts 2009, No. 749, § 1; 2011, No. 1143, § 20.

For any act or omission of child maltreatment that would be a criminal offense or an act of delinquency, any defense or affirmative defense, including the burden of proof regarding the affirmative defense, that would apply to the criminal offense or delinquent act is also cognizable in a child maltreatment proceeding with the exception of:

(1) A statute of limitation;

(2) Lack of capacity as a result of mental disease or defect under § 5-2-312 ; and

(3) Affirmative defenses under §§ 5-1-112 - 5-1-114 .

Acts 2009, No. 749, § 1; 2011, No. 1143, § 20.

## Nearby sections

- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-801 Time to complete administrative hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-801.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-802 Subpoenas - Service upon a child](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-802.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-803 Privileged communications as evidence - Exception](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-803.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-804 Defenses and affirmative defenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-804.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-805 Video teleconferencing and teleconferencing options](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-805.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-806 Continuances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-806.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-807 Administrative judgments and adjudications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-807.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-808 Notice of juvenile division circuit court proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-808.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-809 Confidentiality](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-809.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-810 Authority to amend investigative determinations based on evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-810.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-811 Expedited administrative hearings - Definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-811.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-812 Preliminary administrative hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-812.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-813 Notice of investigative determination upon satisfaction of due process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-813.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-814 Automatic hearings for juveniles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-814.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T12_C18_S8_S12-18-804. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.