Which statement best describes deadly force?

• A. It is force likely to cause death or great bodily harm.
• B. It is force used only after a verbal warning.
• C. It is force used only in self-defense but not deadly.
• D. It is force that causes minor injuries.

Answer: (A)

Deadly force is defined by its potential outcome: force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm. That focus on the potential consequence is what sets deadly force apart from other levels of force. In practice, the use of deadly force is considered only when there is a reasonable belief that it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious harm to oneself or others, and the force used is proportional to the threat. The key idea is the seriousness of the harm that could result, not whether a verbal warning was given, whether it’s used only in self-defense, or whether it would cause minor injuries. Statements that emphasize warnings, restrict deadly force to non-deadly self-defense, or describe only minor injuries do not capture the defining characteristic of deadly force.