Most people think of the term "homicide" as describing the most serious violent felony. However, the term simply means the killing of a person, and this act is not always illegal. Oklahoma law defines both "excusable homicide" and "justifiable homicide" as killings which are not unlawful, but instead may be necessary in the protection of one's personal safety or in protecting the safety of others.
However, any killing in self defense is carefully scrutinized. Despite Oklahoma having permissive self-defense laws, including both the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws, simply claiming "self-defense" is not enough to support a finding of justifiable homicide. Police and district attorneys will scrutinize any act of homicide to determine if a killing was indeed justifiable, or if a person acted outside the realm of the law and utilized unnecessary force.
If an investigation determines that there is enough evidence to support a criminal charge, the defendant may be charged with murder or manslaughter, even if he or she feels justified in using force to protect oneself or one's family.
It is important to understand what qualifies as excusable or justifiable homicide so that one can accurately interpret and abide by self defense laws in Oklahoma.
Homicide is considered by state law to be "excusable" under the following conditions:
If a death is pure accident without negligence, or if it is an accidental death arising from defending against a sudden attack, the person who commits the act is held harmless by criminal law.
In certain situations, a police officer or other law enforcement agent may find it necessary to use lethal force in order to protect his or her personal safety or the public safety when dealing with a violent criminal. Not all incidents of deadly force by a law enforcement officer are lawful; however, in many cases, the killing of a suspect or inmate may be justified:
The United States and the state of Oklahoma support due process and the right of every person to obtain justice through a fair trial. However, if a law enforcement officer is in grave risk of serious injury or death in trying to effect that process and to protect the public welfare, the law allows him or her to use necessary force to prevent such harm. Oklahoma is not a police state. Law enforcement agents must act reasonably, responsibly, and lawfully when using deadly force.
While "excusable homicide" is an accidental death from lawful, non-negligent actions not intended to bring about death, justifiable homicide is the intentional use of lethal force in order to protect oneself or one's family. State law defines justifiable homicide as follows:
While the law states that justifiable homicide occurs in an attempt to resist a felony, in fact only in the case of violent felonies against a person is lethal force justified. Oklahoma's self-defense laws allow a person to use deadly force against a person who jeopardizes personal safety, but not in defense of property.
If a "self-defense" claim is asserted, investigators will carefully work to determine whether the use of lethal force was necessary, reasonable, and lawful. If someone shoots and kills a masked intruder breaking into his or her home in the dark of night, it would be considered reasonable for the homeowner to have assumed that his or her life was in jeopardy. If a homeowner frightens a burglar away and shoots the suspect in the back during an attempt to flee, the use of lethal force is unnecessary and the shooter will likely be charged with murder.
If you're facing charges after acting in self defense your first step should be to contact a legal team that will protect your rights. DO NOT attempt to explain to law enforcement what happened without a legal expert present. For more information visit our homepage or contact us directly by phone.
