When is deadly force permissible according to legal standards?

Deadly force is permissible under legal standards primarily in situations where it is necessary to prevent death or grievous bodily harm. This means that individuals, particularly law enforcement officers, may only use deadly force as a last resort when they have a reasonable belief that they or someone else is faced with an imminent threat that could result in serious injury or loss of life.

This principle is rooted in the idea of self-defense and the protection of others, where the use of force must be proportional to the threat encountered. For example, if an individual's life is in danger or if there is a credible threat of serious injury, using deadly force may be justified to neutralize that threat.

In contrast, other options suggest conditions under which deadly force could be used that do not adhere to legal standards. Using force simply because one feels threatened without reasonable justification, or at an officer's discretion without clear justification, does not meet the strict criteria of necessity and proportionality required by law. Additionally, responding in self-defense without any prior warning does not align with the legal expectations for use of deadly force, as a reasonable assessment of the threat should precede such actions.