Which defense asserts that the defendant's actions were permitted by law or official authority?

Which defense asserts that the defendant's actions were permitted by law or official authority?

• A. Consent
• B. Self-Defense
• C. Defense of Other
• D. Legal Authority

Answer: (D)

Legal Authority is the defense that asserts the defendant’s actions were permitted by law or official authority. When someone acts under a recognized power or command—such as an officer performing duties within their legal powers or a person following a lawful directive—the conduct can be excused because the authority backing it makes the act lawful, not criminal. This defense hinges on the presence of statutory or official sanction that validates the action, even if, by ordinary standards, the act might seem criminal. Consent involves agreement by the other party to the act, which doesn't address whether the action was authorized by law or authority. Self-Defense justifies harm to prevent imminent harm to oneself, not because an official authorization exists. Defense of Others is similar but centers on protecting someone else, not on a higher lawful sanction. The key difference is that Legal Authority relies on formal sanction or command from law or an official power, making the act permissible under the circumstances.

Legal Authority is the defense that asserts the defendant’s actions were permitted by law or official authority. When someone acts under a recognized power or command—such as an officer performing duties within their legal powers or a person following a lawful directive—the conduct can be excused because the authority backing it makes the act lawful, not criminal. This defense hinges on the presence of statutory or official sanction that validates the action, even if, by ordinary standards, the act might seem criminal.

Consent involves agreement by the other party to the act, which doesn't address whether the action was authorized by law or authority. Self-Defense justifies harm to prevent imminent harm to oneself, not because an official authorization exists. Defense of Others is similar but centers on protecting someone else, not on a higher lawful sanction. The key difference is that Legal Authority relies on formal sanction or command from law or an official power, making the act permissible under the circumstances.