Exculpation

n.

1.

The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime; that which exculpates; excuse. These robbers, however, were men who might have made out a strong case in exculpation of themselves. - Southey.

Noun	1.	exculpation - a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable" Synonyms: excuse, self-justification, alibi
	2.	exculpation - the act of freeing from guilt or blame

absolution, acquittal, acquittance, amnesty, clearance, clearing, compurgation, destigmatization, destigmatizing, discharge, disculpation, dismissal, excuse, exemption, exoneration, explanation, forgiveness, grace, immunity, indemnity, justification, pardon, purgation, purging, quietus, quittance, rationalization, redemption, rehabilitation, reinstatement, release, remission, remission of sin, reprieve, restoration, shrift, sparing, verdict of acquittal, vindication