Under what condition is deadly force justified?

Deadly force is justified in situations of imminent danger to life because it is typically a last resort action taken to prevent serious bodily harm or death to oneself or others. The concept of imminent danger emphasizes that there must be an immediate and unavoidable threat that necessitates the use of lethal force to protect oneself or others. This aligns with legal standards regarding self-defense, which generally allow for such force only when there is no possibility of escape or avoidance of the threat.

In contrast, conditions such as theft or protecting property do not usually meet the legal threshold for the use of deadly force since these situations do not involve an immediate risk to life. Additionally, being provoked does not justify the use of deadly force unless it escalates to an imminent threat to life. Recognizing the critical distinction between the value of life and property is essential for understanding when the use of deadly force is considered lawful and justified.