Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 951 - Penal Code: Statutory Construction; Principles of Criminal Liability
Section 53a-17. - Conduct required or authorized by law or judicial decree.

Unless inconsistent with any provision of this chapter defining justifiable use of physical force, or with any other provision of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable when such conduct is required or authorized by a provision of law or by a judicial decree, including but not limited to (1) laws defining duties and functions of public servants, (2) laws defining duties of private citizens to assist public servants in the performance of certain of their functions, (3) laws governing the execution of legal process, (4) laws governing the military services and the conduct of war, and (5) judgments and orders of courts.

(1969, P.A. 828, S. 17.)
Defendant is entitled to a theory of defense instruction as a matter of law when evidence under section is before jury. 178 C. 704. Cited. 197 C. 588; 204 C. 240; 209 C. 75; Id., 322. Evidence that defendant sought to introduce concerning a dispute over tribal leadership and defendant's alleged responsibilities as a tribal official was relevant to defendant's defense of justification under section and, therefore, was improperly excluded. 263 C. 602.
Cited. 8 CA 667; 18 CA 303; 21 CA 138; 23 CA 615; 24 CA 195; 45 CA 390.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 53a - Penal Code

Chapter 951 - Penal Code: Statutory Construction; Principles of Criminal Liability

Section 53a-4. - Saving clause.

Section 53a-5. - Criminal liability; mental state required.

Section 53a-6. - Effect of ignorance or mistake.

Section 53a-7. - Effect of intoxication.

Section 53a-8. - Criminal liability for acts of another.

Section 53a-9. - Lack of criminal responsibility; absence of prosecution or conviction not a defense.

Section 53a-10. - Defense.

Section 53a-11. - Criminal liability of individual for conduct in name of or on behalf of corporation or limited liability company.

Section 53a-12. - Defenses; burden of proof.

Section 53a-13. - Lack of capacity due to mental disease or defect as affirmative defense.

Section 53a-14. - Duress as defense.

Section 53a-15. - Entrapment as defense.

Section 53a-16. - Justification as defense.

Section 53a-16a. - Affirmative defense in certain situations involving firearms; exceptions.

Section 53a-16b. - Affirmative defense of coparticipant to offense with firearm.

Section 53a-17. - Conduct required or authorized by law or judicial decree.

Section 53a-18. - Use of reasonable physical force or deadly physical force generally.

Section 53a-19. - Use of physical force in defense of person.

Section 53a-20. - Use of physical force in defense of premises.

Section 53a-21. - Use of physical force in defense of property.

Section 53a-22. - Use of physical force in making arrest or preventing escape.

Section 53a-23. - Use of physical force to resist arrest not justified.