Justifiable homicide

The concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law is a defense to culpable homicide (criminal or negligent homicide). A non-criminal homicide ruling, usually committed in self-defense or in defense of another, exists under United States law.

Homicides can be divided into many overlapping legal categories, including murder, manslaughter, justifiable homicide, killing in war (either following the laws of war or as a war crime), euthanasia, and capital punishment, depending on the circumstances of the death.

The concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law is a defense to culpable homicide (criminal or negligent homicide).

Killings classified as not culpable are justifiable killings; thus the term is used to define the criminal intent or mens rea of a killing.

Generally, there is a burden of production of exculpatory evidence in the legal defense of justification.

Justification, as in justifiable homicide, vindicates and shows the justice.

In the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Washington, Wyoming and other Castle Doctrine states, there is no duty to retreat in certain situations (depending on the state, this may apply to one's home, business, or vehicle, or to any public place where a person is lawfully present).

Deadly force may either be justified, the burdens of production and proof for charges impeded, or an affirmative defense against criminal homicide applicable, in cases "when the actor reasonably fears imminent peril of death or serious bodily harm to him or herself or another".

The concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law is a defense to culpable homicide (criminal or negligent homicide).

A non-criminal homicide ruling, usually committed in self-defense or in defense of another, exists under United States law.