The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes regarding the justification for the use of physical force or deadly physical force in criminal prosecutions. Specifically, it would expand the applicability of justification as a defense from being limited to certain offenses listed in the criminal code to being applicable to any criminal offense. This change is reflected in the insertion of language that specifies justification is a defense in "any prosecution for a criminal offense" rather than just those offenses previously outlined.

Additionally, the bill makes technical changes to the existing language, replacing the term "defined" with "prescribed" and modifying the structure of the relevant section to clarify the relationship between subsections. The current statute's language that limits justification to specific offenses would be deleted, thereby broadening the scope of defenses available to individuals facing criminal charges related to the use of force.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-401
House Engrossed Version: 13-401