Legal Definitions - excusable homicide

Definition: Excusable homicide is a legal term that refers to a killing that is not considered a crime because the person who committed it had a valid excuse or justification for their actions.

For example, if someone kills another person in self-defense, it may be considered excusable homicide because they were protecting themselves from harm. Similarly, if a doctor administers a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient who has requested it, this may also be considered excusable homicide because it was done with the patient's consent and to relieve their suffering.

These examples illustrate the definition of excusable homicide because in both cases, the person who committed the killing had a valid reason or excuse for their actions. In self-defense, the person was protecting themselves from harm, and in the case of euthanasia, the doctor was relieving the patient's suffering.