Case Briefing: People V Goetz Essay Example

threatened by the four boys warranted. Should the justification of self-defense be based on a subjective or objective standard?

Holding:A person must have more reason to believe a physical threat by another is imminent other than that individual’s own judgment in order to justify the use of deadly physical force.

Reasoning: A person may use deadly force against another when he “reasonably” feels that this action is the only method of defense, even if this assumption is incorrect, as long as there is “an objective notion of reasonableness. ” This also applies if the person can flee without inhibiting his or anyone else’s safety. Since the defendant felt his actions were “reasonable to him”, it was irrelevant what anyone else would have done in the same situation.Disposition: AMEND All dismissed counts of attempted murder and weapons charges were reversed in Appellate Court and reinstated (but Goetz was later acquitted of the attempted murder and assault charges).

Other Opinions: Justice Carro and Justice Kassal concurred. Public Policy and Psychology: Subjective standards, although they cannot account for every situation, are necessary because if every individual were allowed to apply his own belief of perceived threat, “no matter how aberrational or bizarre his thought patterns” there would be a justification for every killing.

A strictly objective standard also does not take into account the insane that would kill for reasons they perceived as being legitimate, but a “reasonable man” would not. Personal Opinion: There is no way to subjectively or objectively justify every specific instance of self-defense. All evidence must be weighed against the circumstances by a judge or jury.

In Goetz’s case, given that he had no real knowledge that the

boys were armed or that they had the intent to rob him, he also had no reason to use deadly force. His decision to use deadly force seemed primarily motivated by racism and anger over his previous mugging.