What is the key criterion for determining if deadly force is warranted?

The key criterion for determining if deadly force is warranted is the immediate threat to life or serious harm. This principle is grounded in self-defense laws and the use of force continuum, which dictate that deadly force can only be justified in a situation where there is an imminent threat that could result in death or significant bodily injury to oneself or others. Law enforcement officers, in particular, must assess whether a situation presents an immediate danger that necessitates the use of lethal force to protect themselves or others.

This criterion focuses on the urgency and the nature of the threat involved. It reinforces the notion that the response to a threat must be proportional to the threat itself—the law generally does not support the use of deadly force in situations where the threat does not warrant such an extreme response.

While excessive personal threat, presence of witnesses, and police officer’s discretion can be relevant in the context of evaluating a situation, they do not serve as the primary basis for justifying deadly force. Instead, they may influence the overall assessment but do not replace the fundamental necessity of facing an imminent threat to life or severe harm.