The rules governing self-defense and the use of deadly force in Pennsylvania are anything but straightforward. They involve a careful mix of statutes, precedent, and evidentiary considerations that shape how courts approach justification.

This introductory CLE course provides a practical framework for understanding when deadly force may be considered lawful, how judges and juries review claims of self-defense, and the arguments available to both prosecution and defense. Participants will also examine how the law applies to protecting third parties, review influential cases, and consider the evidentiary strategies that can be used to establish the reasonableness of force in the courtroom.

Topics Covered:

• Defining the circumstances under which deadly force is legally justified
• Procedural and substantive elements required to prove justification
• The prosecution’s burden and methods for building a case
• Defense strategies for asserting lawful use of deadly force
• Case law addressing the defense of others
• Evidentiary resources for demonstrating reasonableness, including in deadly force cases