In a homicide case, if the accused pleads self-defense:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the accused pleads self-defense, the burden of proving that he or she was in great imminent peril and that he or she could not escape or retreat with safety without increasing that peril falls on the accused. The accused has to prove that his or her actions were necessary to protect against an imminent threat of harm. This is because self-defense is an affirmative defense, which means that the accused has to prove that he or she acted in self-defense. The prosecution may refute the claim of self-defense by presenting evidence that the accused did not face a threat of serious harm or that the accused used excessive force in responding to the threat.

In a Homicide Case, If the Accused Pleads Self-Defense