Justifiable homicide is the lawful killing of another person in certain circumstances. It’s based on the idea that one person may reasonably defend themselves or another against someone who appears to pose an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm.
In the United States, justifiable homicide includes the use of deadly force in situations where the defender reasonably believes that it’s necessary to stop a criminal act and guard against death or bodily harm to themselves or another.
Examples of Justifiable Homicide
A few examples of justifiable homicide include:
- A homeowner using deadly force against someone who’s unlawfully trying to enter their home.
- A store-owner who acts in self-defense against an armed robber.
- A police officer who shoots and kills a suspect who’s threatening another with a weapon or an imminent physical attack.
What Needs to Be Proven for Justifiable Homicide?
In order for an act of homicide to be considered justifiable, it typically needs to be proven that:
- The dangerous person was not responding to reasonable calls for them to stand down.
- The defender acted in self-defense or to protect another.
- The defender reasonably judged the threat to be imminent and serious.
- The defender used an amount of force which was reasonable for the situation.
It’s important to note that different states have different laws concerning justifiable homicide. Therefore, it’s best to seek legal advice for any specific situation.