LogFAQs > #882471852

them feeling they were in danger is also an excuse, though i'm not sure where it would fall category-wise as that depends a bit on the circumstances. probably diminished capacity for this one? i mean i'm basically thinking of a schizo who kills someone and yeah, that just falls under excuse. could be multiple excuses mind you, but it doesn't hit the higher threshold because he's not justifying the crime (i.e., stating that though he did commit a crime, his wrongful actions should not be considered as such due to this greater reason), he's making an excuse to explain it (it's wrong but i was nuts).

for a legal justification, you need a greater wrong to have been prevented. i mean if you want to stick to the insane guy it's going to be hard to think of a good scenario where he's justified. even if he was drugged, involuntary intoxication's an excuse. it's a total defense mind you so he gets away with it, but it's different.

here's another link, i think this one explains the difference well as it makes a clear split between actor vs. criminal act to understand excuse vs. justification.
http://www.lectlaw.com/mjl/cl041.htm

cops are where this whole thing gets really weird, if you wanna bring it back to something common in the topic. because they sure do have an affinity for getting away with it as the higher position (law enforcement) changes things. they got their own rulebook.
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"Maybe it's a tentacle, molesting the planet itself. - Aschen Brodel.