THIS CASEBOOK contains a selection of 24 U. S. Court of Appeals decisions that analyze and discuss issues related to the use of deadly force in self defense. The selection of decisions spans from 2010 to the date of publication.
A person may resort to self-defense if he reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, thus necessitating an in-kind response. See United States v. Visinaiz, 428 F.3d 1300, 1311 (10th Cir.2005); United States v. Greschner, 802 F.2d 373, 384 (10th Cir.1986) US v. Toledo, 739 F. 3d 562 (10th Cir. 2014)
In Illinois, force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm may be justified "only if [the defendant] reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or the commission of a forcible felony." 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/7-1(a). Further, such deadly force may be used in defense of a dwelling when entry is made or attempted in a violent, riotous, or tumultuous manner, and the defendant reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent an assault upon himself or another then in the dwelling or the commission of a felony in the dwelling. See id. 5/7-2(a). US v. Rice, 673 F. 3d 537 (7th Cir. 2012)
A person may resort to self-defense if he reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, thus necessitating an in-kind response. See United States v. Visinaiz, 428 F.3d 1300, 1311 (10th Cir.2005); United States v. Greschner, 802 F.2d 373, 384 (10th Cir.1986) US v. Toledo, 739 F. 3d 562 (10th Cir. 2014)
In Illinois, force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm may be justified "only if [the defendant] reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another or the commission of a forcible felony." 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/7-1(a). Further, such deadly force may be used in defense of a dwelling when entry is made or attempted in a violent, riotous, or tumultuous manner, and the defendant reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent an assault upon himself or another then in the dwelling or the commission of a felony in the dwelling. See id. 5/7-2(a). US v. Rice, 673 F. 3d 537 (7th Cir. 2012)
