justifiable homicide
A legal term referring to the killing of a person under circumstances that the law permits, often to prevent greater harm.
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Definition
C1Legal Defense
(formal, technical)The killing of a person that is permitted by law because it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury.
Example
- The court ruled it as justifiable homicide since the defendant acted in self-defense.
- The officer's actions were deemed justifiable homicide during the armed robbery incident.
C1Law Enforcement
(formal, technical)A killing carried out by a public official in the line of duty, deemed lawful by the legal system.
Example
- The police officer's use of deadly force was considered justifiable homicide.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "justifiable homicide":