Georgia Suggested Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal Cases
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

§ 3.10.12 Reasonable Beliefs Explained

For the Defendant’s threat or use of force to be justified:

1. the Defendant must believe that his/her threat or use of force is necessary;

2. that belief must be reasonable, that is, a reasonable person would also believe that the threat or use of force is necessary; and

3. the Defendant’s reasonable belief must be what prompts him/her to threaten or use force.

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