§ 39-11-601. Justification a Defense
It is a defense to prosecution that the conduct of the person is justified under this part.
§ 39-11-602. Justification Definitions
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Custody” means under arrest by a law enforcement officer, or under restraint by an officer, employee or agent of government pursuant to an order of a court; “Deadly force” means force that is intended or known by the defendant to cause or, in the manner […]
§ 39-11-603. Confinement as Justifiable Force
Confinement is justified when force is justified by this part, if the person takes reasonable measures to terminate the confinement as soon as the person knows it can be done safely, unless the individual confined has been arrested for an offense.
§ 39-11-604. Reckless Injury of Innocent Third Person
Even though a person is justified under this part in threatening or using force or deadly force against another, the justification afforded by this part is unavailable in a prosecution for harm to an innocent third person who is recklessly injured or recklessly killed by the use of such force.
§ 39-11-605. Civil Remedies Unaffected
The fact that conduct is justified under this part does not abolish or impair any remedy for the conduct that is or may be available in a civil suit.
§ 39-11-610. Public Duty
Except as qualified by subsections (b) and (c), conduct is justified if the person reasonably believes the conduct is required or authorized by law, by the judgment or order of a competent court or other tribunal, or in the execution of legal process. The following sections of this part control: When force is threatened or […]
§ 39-11-611. Self-Defense
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: “Business” means a commercial enterprise or establishment owned by a person as all or part of the person’s livelihood or is under the owner’s control or who is an employee or agent of the owner with responsibility for protecting persons and property and shall include […]
§ 39-11-612. Defense of Third Person
A person is justified in threatening or using force against another to protect a third person, if: Under the circumstances as the person reasonably believes them to be, the person would be justified under § 39-11-611 in threatening or using force to protect against the use or attempted use of unlawful force reasonably believed to […]
§ 39-11-613. Protection of Life or Health
A person is justified in threatening or using force, but not deadly force, against another, when and to the degree the person reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other from committing suicide or from the self-infliction of serious bodily injury.
§ 39-11-614. Protection of Property
A person in lawful possession of real or personal property is justified in threatening or using force against another, when and to the degree it is reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other’s trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property. A person who has been unlawfully […]
§ 39-11-615. Protection of Third Person’s Property
A person is justified in threatening or using force against another to protect real or personal property of a third person, if, under the circumstances as the person reasonably believes them to be, the person would be justified under § 39-11-614 in threatening or using force to protect the person’s own real or personal property.
§ 39-11-616. Use of Device to Protect Property
The justification afforded by §§ 39-11-614 and 39-11-615 extends to the use of a device for the purpose of protecting property, only if: The device is not designed to cause or known to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm; The use of the particular device to protect the property from […]
§ 39-11-621. Use of Deadly Force by Private Citizen
A private citizen, in making an arrest authorized by law, may use force reasonably necessary to accomplish the arrest of an individual who flees or resists the arrest; provided, that a private citizen cannot use or threaten to use deadly force except to the extent authorized under self-defense or defense of third person statutes, §§ […]
§ 39-11-622. Justification for Use of Force — Exceptions — Immunity From Civil Liability
A person who uses force as permitted in §§ 39-11-611 — 39-11-614 or § 29-34-201, is justified in using such force and is immune from civil liability for the use of such force, unless: The person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer, as defined in § 39-11-106 who: Was acting in […]