Defenses

Question 1

What is the difference between a justification and an excuse?

Answer 1

Excuse: punishment isn’t merited under the defendant’s particular circumstances.
Justification: the act committed is socially acceptable.

Question 2

Under the common-law, when is deadly force justified for self defense?

Answer 2

When a non aggressing actor has Actual (subjective) and reasonable (objective) belief of Imminent death or serious bodily harm with no ability to retreat.