Who is immune from criminal prosecution for the use of force according to justifiable use of force laws?

The concept of justifiable use of force laws allows individuals to defend themselves under certain circumstances, particularly when they face an imminent threat of harm. In this context, the person who uses or threatens to use force may be considered immune from criminal prosecution if they can establish that their actions were necessary to protect themselves or others from harm.

This immunity typically applies when the individual was in a situation that warranted a reasonable belief that using force was necessary to prevent injury or death. Legal frameworks often require that the response be proportional to the threat posed, meaning the level of force used must be appropriate to the situation.

By contrast, an aggressor would not be protected by these laws, as their actions initiated the conflict. Bystanders are generally not permitted to use force unless they also meet the criteria for self-defense or defense of others, and their immunity would depend on their involvement in the situation. A law enforcement officer may have specific legal protections relating to the use of force in the line of duty, but this is on different grounds typically focused on statutes or policies governing police conduct rather than general justifiable use of force laws.