Which statement about the limits of self-defence is true?

Which statement about the limits of self-defence is true?

• A. Self-defence can justify homicide in all cases.
• B. Self-defence only applies when there is immediate threat.
• C. Self-defence cannot justify lethal force.
• D. Applies up to homicide; the test is whether actions were excessive.

Answer: (D)

Self-defence is about responding to an imminent threat with force, but the amount and type of force must be necessary and proportionate to what you’re facing. This means lethal force can be justified if it’s needed to prevent death or serious harm, but only to the extent required to stop the threat. The key test is whether your actions were excessive for the situation. If there was a way to stop the attack with less force, and you used more than necessary, that excess would undermine the defence. So, while self-defence can extend to lethal force, it doesn’t automatically excuse harm; each case is judged by whether the force used was appropriate to the threat and circumstances as they reasonably appeared at the time.

Self-defence is about responding to an imminent threat with force, but the amount and type of force must be necessary and proportionate to what you’re facing. This means lethal force can be justified if it’s needed to prevent death or serious harm, but only to the extent required to stop the threat. The key test is whether your actions were excessive for the situation. If there was a way to stop the attack with less force, and you used more than necessary, that excess would undermine the defence. So, while self-defence can extend to lethal force, it doesn’t automatically excuse harm; each case is judged by whether the force used was appropriate to the threat and circumstances as they reasonably appeared at the time.