Possible Clues:

• Court defence
• Defence always leaky, it's Brighton's infirmity, first of all
• Wrongdoer's excuse
• Excuse for starting a long, interesting book immediately
• It may check out
• Perp-to-cop story
• It could be a strong defense
• Literally, ''in another place''
• Suspect's 'out'
• Liberal in first class provides cover story