Lesson 34: Self-defense cannot be accidental.

A self-defense claim is an affirmative legal defense. It means your use of force must be a deliberate act meant to stop the threat of imminent peril. If you claim the shooting was accidental, you undermine your legal defense and open the door to manslaughter charges. There’s no such thing as accidental self-defense. Your actions must be purposeful and justifiable under the law.