Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 501 (2026)

Definitions.

✓ current as of May 2026

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CHAPTER 5

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTIFICATION

Sec.

501. Definitions.

502. Justification a defense.

503. Justification generally.

504. Execution of public duty.

505. Use of force in self-protection.

506. Use of force for the protection of other persons.

507. Use of force for the protection of property.

508. Use of force in law enforcement.

509. Use of force by persons with special responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others.

510. Justification in property crimes.

Enactment. Chapter 5 was added December 6, 1972, P.L.1482, No.334, effective in six months.

Cross References. Chapter 5 is referred to in sections 311, 908.1, 2503, 2507, 2605, 2608 of this title; section 711 of Title 51 (Military Affairs).

§ 501. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this chapter which are applicable to specific provisions of this chapter, the following words and phrases, when used in this chapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

"Believes" or "belief." Means "reasonably believes" or "reasonable belief."

"Correctional institution." Any penal institution, penitentiary, State farm, reformatory, prison, jail, house of correction, or other institution for the incarceration or custody of persons under sentence for offenses or awaiting trial or sentence for offenses.

"Corrections officer." A full-time employee assigned to the Department of Corrections whose principal duty is the care, custody and control of inmates of a penal or correctional institution operated by the Department of Corrections.

"Deadly force." Force which, under the circumstances in which it is used, is readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

"Dwelling." Any building or structure, including any attached porch, deck or patio, though movable or temporary, or a portion thereof, which is for the time being the home or place of lodging of the actor.

"Peace officer." Any person who by virtue of his office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses, or any person on active State duty pursuant to 51 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to active duty for emergency). The term "peace officer" shall also include any member of any park police department of any county of the third class.

"Residence." A dwelling in which a person resides, either temporarily or permanently, or visits as an invited guest.

"Unlawful force." Force, including confinement, which is employed without the consent of the person against whom it is directed and the employment of which constitutes an offense or actionable tort or would constitute such offense or tort except for a defense (such as the absence of intent, negligence, or mental capacity; duress; youth; or diplomatic status) not amounting to a privilege to use the force. Assent constitutes consent, within the meaning of this section, whether or not it otherwise is legally effective, except assent to the infliction of death or serious bodily injury.

"Vehicle." A conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, that is designed to transport people or property.

(July 6, 1984, P.L.647, No.134, eff. 90 days; July 17, 2007, P.L.139, No.41, eff. 60 days; June 28, 2011, P.L.48, No.10, eff. 60 days)

2011 Amendment. See the preamble to Act 10 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to legislative findings.

Cross References. Section 501 is referred to in sections 2507, 2702.1 of this title; sections 75A01, 79C11 of Title 35 (Health and Safety); section 9719.1 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); section 7302 of Title 44 (Law and Justice).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 36 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Berrigan, 472 A.2d 1099 (Pa. 1984).

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Commonwealth v. Berrigan, 472 A.2d 1099 (Pa. 1984). · cites it 8× “Pennsylvania law provides a justification defense at 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 501, 503, 510. The general justification defense is set out at Section 503 which provides.”

Commonwealth v. Spotz, 84 A.3d 294 (Pa. 2014). “18 Pa.C.S. § 501, pertaining to definitions, provides that a "Dwelling” is "[a]ny building or structure, including any attached porch, deck or patio, though movable or temporary, or a portion thereof, which is for the time being the home or place of lodging of the actor.”

Commonwealth v. Black, 376 A.2d 627 (Pa. 1977). · cites it 2× “, 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 et seq. Section 505(a) specifically provides: "The use of force upon or toward another person is justifiable when the actor believes that such force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting himself against the use of unlawful force by such person…”

Commonwealth v. Mayfield, 585 A.2d 1069 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). · cites it 2× “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 501. Before the issue of self-defense may be submitted to a jury for consideration, a valid claim of self-defense must be made out as a matter of law, and this determination must be made by the trial judge.”

Commonwealth v. Leet, 585 A.2d 1033 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). · cites it 4× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 501. Therefore, the Code's definition is not controlling in determining whether the sheriff was a peace officer at common law, and whether the sheriff falls within the purview of the the Pincavitch court's description of the powers of a "peace officer.”

Commonwealth v. Spotz, 870 A.2d 822 (Pa. 2005). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 et seq. The court did not issue an "unreasonable belief” of justification/self-defense voluntary manslaughter charge.”

Commonwealth v. Gibbs, 626 A.2d 133 (Pa. 1993). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 501 defines a “peace officer” as one who “by virtue of his office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests.”

Commonwealth v. Light, 326 A.2d 288 (Pa. 1974). · cites it 2× “334, § 1, 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 501, 505 (1973). [5] See also P.”

Commonwealth v. Weston, 749 A.2d 458 (Pa. 2000). “Indeed, 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 et seq., provides that self-defense is a defense to a conviction for the underlying assault or killing, so long as such use of force is justified.”

People v. Vasquez, 148 P.3d 326 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006). “00 (11) (2005) (defining “deadly physical force” as “physical force which, under the circumstances in which it is used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury”); Ohio Rev.”

Commonwealth v. Walley, 353 A.2d 396 (Pa. 1976). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 501. 5 . See Commonwealth v.”

Commonwealth v. Cropper, 345 A.2d 645 (Pa. 1975). “2d 582, 583 (1973); 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 501, 505. Judgment of sentence affirmed.”

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