Official Code of Georgia Annotated
TITLE 16 Crimes and Offenses (Chs. 1 — 17)
CHAPTER 3 Defenses to Criminal Prosecutions (Arts. 1 — 3)
Article 2 Justification and Excuse (§§ 16-3-20 — 16-3-28)

16-3-20. Justification.

The fact that a person’s conduct is justified is a defense to prosecution for any crime based on that conduct. The defense of justification can be claimed:

(1) When the person’s conduct is justified under Code Section 16-3-21, 16-3-23, 16-3-24, 16-3-25, or 16-3-26;

(2) When the person’s conduct is in reasonable fulfillment of his duties as a government officer or employee;

(3) When the person’s conduct is the reasonable discipline of a minor by his parent or a person in loco parentis;

(4) When the person’s conduct is reasonable and is performed in the course of making a lawful arrest;

(5) When the person’s conduct is justified for any other reason under the laws of this state, including as provided in Code Section 51-1-29; or

(6) In all other instances which stand upon the same footing of reason and justice as those enumerated in this article.

 

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