Superior orders
（重定向自Nuremberg Defence）
![Hagenbach on trial, from Berner Chronik des Diebold Schilling dem Älteren](/Images/godic/202501/30/Deutsche_Geschichte5-3105801.jpg")
![Dostler tied to a stake before the execution](/Images/godic/202501/30/Anton_Dostler_1945_Colourized5801.jpg")
![Eichmann on trial in 1961](/Images/godic/202501/30/Adolf_Eichmann_at_Trial19615801.jpg")
Superior orders, often known as the Nuremberg defense, lawful orders or by the German phrase Befehl ist Befehl ("only following orders", literally "an order is an order"), is a plea in a court of law that a person, whether a member of the armed forces or a civilian, not be held guilty for actions which were ordered by a superior officer or a public official.