Justifiable homicide
Justifiable Homicide
Justifiable homicide (/ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪəbəl ˈhɒmɪsaɪd/) refers to a killing without legal penalty, under specific circumstances defined by law. The term is derived from the Latin words "iustus" meaning "just" and "homicidium" meaning "killing a man".
Definition
Justifiable homicide is defined as the act of killing another person under circumstances which show that the act was socially acceptable and legally permissible. These circumstances typically involve self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property. The specific conditions under which a homicide is considered justifiable can vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Legal Context
In the legal context, justifiable homicide is often a defense in criminal cases, or a potential basis for a wrongful death civil suit. The defendant or respondent must generally prove that the victim posed an imminent threat to the life or safety of another, which justified the lethal response.
Related Terms
- Self-defense: The act of protecting oneself, one's property, or a close relative from harm or threat of harm from an aggressor.
- Homicide: The act of a human killing another human.
- Manslaughter: The unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought.
- Murder: The unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought.
See Also
References
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