Deadly force is defined as force used with the purpose of causing or knowing to create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Deadly force is defined as force used with the purpose of causing or knowing to create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

• A. Force that could reasonably be expected to kill without intent
• B. Force used to restrain without risk of death
• C. Force that never risks death
• D. Force used with the purpose of causing or knowing to create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury

Answer: (D)

Deadly force is defined by the combination of intent or knowledge about the risk of harm. Specifically, it’s force used with the purpose of causing death or serious bodily injury, or force used with the knowledge that it would create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. This means the act isn’t just about harm happening to occur; it hinges on the mover’s aim to kill or seriously hurt, or their awareness that their action could bring about that level of harm. That’s why options describing force used for restraint with no risk, or force that never risks death, don’t fit. The defining element is the substantial risk of death or serious injury, tied to either the intent to cause that harm or the knowledge that it could occur. The phrasing that includes both purpose to cause harm and knowledge of the substantial risk best captures the concept.

Deadly force is defined by the combination of intent or knowledge about the risk of harm. Specifically, it’s force used with the purpose of causing death or serious bodily injury, or force used with the knowledge that it would create a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. This means the act isn’t just about harm happening to occur; it hinges on the mover’s aim to kill or seriously hurt, or their awareness that their action could bring about that level of harm.

That’s why options describing force used for restraint with no risk, or force that never risks death, don’t fit. The defining element is the substantial risk of death or serious injury, tied to either the intent to cause that harm or the knowledge that it could occur. The phrasing that includes both purpose to cause harm and knowledge of the substantial risk best captures the concept.