Justifiable homicide defines the certain situations in which a person can take another's life.
Situation: one person has killed another
Consequences: the person is absolved of criminal liability
There is some variation between state laws but this may include:
(1) self-defense when the person is threatened with death or great bodily harm
(2) public safety officers in prevention of a violent or forcible felony when it is absolutely necessary and there is no suitable a non-lethal means of prevention
(3) some carrying out the execution of a criminal sentenced to death by a court
(4) soldier during combat
There may be caveats specified:
(1) for self-defense the person should not have provoked or incited the victim
(2) for self-defense during a burglary or home invasion the need to escape if possible
(3) the need to avoid unnecessary and excessive force in response to a threat
(4) soldiers in combat need to abide by the Geneva Convention
Justifiable homicide needs to be distinguished from:
(1) manslaughter
(2) reduced culpability due to heat of passion or diminished capacity
Specialty: Clinical Laboratory