Title V. Penal Code

Chapter 3. Defences.

§ 307. Definitions.

As used in § 309-312,

    1.    "Force" means any act intended to cause bodily harm or damage property.

    2.    "Deadly force" means force that the defendant uses with the intent of causing or that he knows to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm. Intentionally firing a firearm in the direction of another person or at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be constitutes deadly force. A threat to cause death or serious bodily harm, by the production of a weapon or otherwise, so long as the defendant's intent is limited to creating an apprehension that he will use deadly force if necessary, does not constitute deadly force.

    3.    "Dwelling" means any building or structure, though movable or temporary, or a portion thereof, that is for the time being the defendant's home or place of lodging.

Chapter 3                 § 306                 § 308