Legal Definitions - justifiable homicide

Definition:Justifiable homicide is the act of taking a human life under certain circumstances that are considered justified or lawful. This can include self-defense or other causes set out in statute.

For example, in Virginia, a justifiable homicide in self-defense occurs when a person kills another without any fault on their part in provoking or bringing on the difficulty, and under reasonable apprehension of death or great bodily harm to themselves.

Another example of justifiable homicide is an execution for a capital crime, which is permitted by law. In these cases, the person who takes the life is absolved of any criminal liability.

It's important to note that justifiable homicides are not the same as homicides committed under the heat of passion or with diminished capacity. These may be considered mitigating circumstances that reduce the actor's culpability with regards to a killing.

Overall, justifiable homicide is a legal concept that allows for the taking of a human life under certain circumstances that are considered justified or lawful.