Renunciation refers to the rejection of something, typically a belief, a claim, or a course of action. It involves giving up or abandoning a right, title, possession, or a relationship, often voluntarily. For example, renunciation of citizenship means formally giving up one’s nationality.
In criminal law, renunciation also refers to abandoning participation in a crime before it takes place or attempting to stop other participants from proceeding with the crime. It occurs when a person involved in the planning of a crime makes a timely repudiation and takes steps deemed sufficient to neutralize any assistance or material they provided before the crime is actually committed.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]