Which of the following reflects a justified use of force in self-defense?

Using reasonable force based on the immediate threat accurately embodies the principles of self-defense. In legal terms, self-defense is considered justifiable when an individual perceives an imminent threat to their safety and responds with a level of force that is appropriate to counter that threat. The key aspect is the reasonableness of the force used; it must be proportionate to the danger faced.

In situations of self-defense, the individual is entitled to protect themselves but cannot escalate the response beyond what is necessary to neutralize the threat. For example, if someone is being physically attacked, they may legitimately use an equivalent level of force to defend themselves, but using deadly force in a situation where there is no imminent threat to life would be considered extreme and unjustifiable.

This understanding helps outline the boundaries of appropriate action in self-defense scenarios, emphasizing the necessity of assessing the situation at hand and using force that is commensurate with the threat.