In law, an absolute defense is a factual circumstance or argument that, if proven, will end the litigation in favor of the defendant. The concept of an absolute defense is not a rigid one. Statutes frequently use the term merely as a synonym to "full" or "complete". It is more often used, however, as a term of art in both criminal and civil law to refer to an underlying set of facts and laws, not raised by the complaint or indictment, which will require the defendant's dismissal even if the factual allegations of the complaining pleading are true. Examples of absolute defenses include