According to PC 9.02, what does justification refer to in a legal defense?

Justification in a legal defense context refers to conduct that is justified under the law, meaning that the actions taken by an individual can be deemed acceptable or warranted under certain circumstances. In the context of Penal Code 9.02, this often relates to situations where an individual may have acted in self-defense or defense of others, thereby lawful in the eyes of the law despite potentially resulting in harm.

When conduct is justified, it does not imply that the individual is simply proving their innocence, nor does it directly relate to the absence of intent to commit an act deemed illegal. While a plea for leniency may be part of legal strategy, it does not speak directly to the justification of actions under the law, which focuses on the legitimacy of the conduct itself. Therefore, justification centers on the legal acknowledgment that certain actions were appropriate given the circumstances faced by the individual at that moment.