Crossword Genius

Jumping bail I find an excuse (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alibi

'an excuse' is the definition.
(excuse given by a suspect in an investigation)

'jumping bail i' is the wordplay.
'jumping' indicates an anagram.
'bail' with letters rearranged gives 'alib'.
'alib'+'i'='ALIBI'

'find' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for alibi that I've seen before include "Defence in court" , "Proof of being somewhere else at the time" , "Pretext; court excuse" , "Story confirming innocence" , "Defence used by an accused person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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