§ 39-11-610 — Public duty

(a) Except as qualified by subsections (b) and (c), conduct is justified if the person reasonably believes the conduct is required or authorized by law, by the judgment or order of a competent court or other tribunal, or in the execution of legal process. (b) The following sections of this part control: (1) When force is threatened or used against a person to protect persons, pursuant to §§ 39-11-611 - 39-11-613; (2) To protect property, pursuant to §§ 39-11-614 - 39-11-616; or (3) For law enforcement, pursuant to § 39-11-620 . (c) The justification afforded by this section is available if: (1) The person reasonably believes the court or tribunal has jurisdiction or the process is lawful, even though the court or tribunal lacks jurisdiction or the process is unlawful; or (2) The person reasonably believes the conduct is required or authorized to assist a public servant in the performance of the public servant's official duty, even though the public servant exceeds the public servant's lawful authority.

Legislative History

Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.