What is the overall concept of justifiable conduct based on necessity?

The concept of justifiable conduct based on necessity involves making a decision or taking action in order to prevent immediate harm or danger, wherein the urgency of avoiding that harm is deemed to outweigh any legal prohibitions that would normally apply. This principle acknowledges that, in certain situations, the need to protect oneself or others can justify actions that would typically be considered illegal. For instance, breaking into a property to save someone trapped inside may be viewed as justifiable, despite the associated legal consequences of trespassing.

This understanding aligns with legal defenses where necessity is invoked to explain that the circumstances necessitate a deviation from the law to prevent greater harm—a central tenet in both criminal and civil law. While minimizing personal liability or considering public opinion may have their respective merits in specific contexts, they do not encapsulate the fundamental rationale of why necessity justifies certain actions. The focus remains on the immediacy of the threat and the compelling need to avert it, highlighting the critical interplay between urgency and legality.