13-403

13-403. Justification; use of physical
force

The use of physical force upon another person which would otherwise constitute an
offense is justifiable and not criminal under any of the following circumstances:

1. A parent or guardian and a teacher or other person entrusted with the care and
supervision of a minor or incompetent person may use reasonable and appropriate physical
force upon the minor or incompetent person when and to the extent reasonably necessary
and appropriate to maintain discipline.

2. A superintendent or other entrusted official of a jail, prison or correctional
institution may use physical force for the preservation of peace, to maintain order or
discipline, or to prevent the commission of any felony or misdemeanor.

3. A person responsible for the maintenance of order in a place where others are
assembled or on a common motor carrier of passengers, or a person acting under his
direction, may use physical force if and to the extent that a reasonable person would
believe it necessary to maintain order, but such person may use deadly physical force
only if reasonably necessary to prevent death or serious physical injury.

4. A person acting under a reasonable belief that another person is about to commit
suicide or to inflict serious physical injury upon himself may use physical force upon
that person to the extent reasonably necessary to thwart the result.

5. A duly licensed physician or a registered nurse or a person acting under his
direction, or any other person who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency
occurrence, may use reasonable physical force for the purpose of administering a
recognized and lawful form of treatment which is reasonably adapted to promoting the
physical or mental health of the patient if:

(a) The treatment is administered with the consent of the patient or, if the
patient is a minor or an incompetent person, with the consent of his parent, guardian or
other person entrusted with his care and supervision except as otherwise provided by law;
or

(b) The treatment is administered in an emergency when the person administering
such treatment reasonably believes that no one competent to consent can be consulted and
that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent.

6. A person may otherwise use physical force upon another person as further
provided in this chapter.