CHAPTER 1
General Explanations
25. An act committed under sudden impulse in defence of “one’s own self” shall not be an offence except where that act results in the death of a person.
Note : “One’s own self” shall mean the life of one’s own, that of his parents, his children, and that of dependents and relatives whose legal guardianship is attributed to him by religion.
GENERAL DEFENSES
CHAPTER 40. JUSTIFICATION DEFENSES
Section 45 – Defense of Person
(a) Subject to Subsection (b), a person’s use of force is justified if:
(1) it is necessary to defend against an unjustified use or threat of
force by an aggressor against:
(A) his own person, or
(B) the person of another; and
(2) the amount of force used is not disproportionate to the harm
threatened.
(b) Use of Force Risking Death or Serious Bodily Injury. A person’s
use of force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily
injury is justified under Subsection (a) only if such force is necessary to defend
against a threat of death, serious bodily injury, or forcible intercourse.
(c) Definitions.
(1) Force is “unjustified” if it:
(A) satisfies the objective elements of an offense in Part II
of this Code, and
(B) is not justified by a defense in this Chapter.(2) Use of force is “disproportionate” if it is clearly in excess of
what a reasonable person would consider proportionate.
GENERAL DEFENSES
CHAPTER 40. JUSTIFICATION DEFENSES
Section 46 – Defense of Property
(a) Subject to Subsection (b), a person’s use of force is justified if:
(1) it is necessary to defend against an unjustified use or threat of
force against, or trespass on, or interference with:
(A) his property, or
(B) the property of another; and
(2) the amount of force used is not disproportionate to the harm
threatened.
(b) Use of Force Risking Death or Serious Bodily Injury. A person’s
use of force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily
injury is not justified in the defense of property alone.
1. Sin perjuicio de las demás circunstancias eximentes de responsabilidad penal establecidas en el presente Estatuto, no será penalmente responsable quien, en el momento de incurrir en una conducta:
(c) Actuare razonablemente en defensa propia o de un tercero o, en el caso de los crímenes de guerra, de un bien que fuese esencial para su supervivencia o la de un tercero o de un bien que fuese esencial para realizar una misión militar, contra un uso inminente e ilícito de la fuerza, en forma proporcional al grado de peligro para él, un tercero o los bienes protegidos. El hecho de participar en una fuerza que realizare una operación de defensa no bastará para constituir una circunstancia eximente de la responsabilidad penal de conformidad con el presente apartado;