Under what circumstance is a person justified in the use of force?

The use of force is justified in the context of preventing a forcible felony, as this is a critical and immediate response to certain violent crimes that pose a significant threat to individuals or property. Forcible felonies include acts that involve violence or the threat of violence, such as robbery, aggravated assault, or sexual assault.

When faced with a situation where a forcible felony is occurring or about to occur, individuals have the legal right to employ reasonable force to protect themselves or others from imminent harm. This is rooted in the legal principle of self-defense and the protection of others where immediate action is necessary. The justification hinges on the immediate and severe threat that a forcible felony presents, allowing for the necessary use of force to prevent it.

Other options may refer to situations where force could potentially be justified, such as to prevent theft or unlawful restraint, but these situations might not always meet the higher threshold established for forcible felonies. For example, preventing theft may not always warrant the same level of force as a forcible felony, making it less universally justified under the law.