The Doctrine of Necessity

The Doctrine of Necessity is a legal principle allowing individuals to act outside the law in emergency situations when there’s no reasonable alternative. It justifies actions that would normally be illegal, under the belief that doing so prevents greater harm. For example, breaking into a car to save a child trapped inside can be seen as necessary and justifiable. This doctrine balances the need for strict legal adherence with the need for practical responses to unavoidable emergencies, ensuring that actions taken in urgent situations are understood as made with the intention of protecting life or preventing greater harm.