When can a defendant invoke justification as a legal defense?

Justification as a legal defense is invoked when an individual commits an act that would typically be considered a crime, but does so believing they had a good reason for their actions, especially under pressure or in a situation that demands a response for self-defense or the defense of others. This means that the person must believe that their actions were morally right given the circumstances they faced, such as an immediate threat to their safety or the safety of others.

In this context, justification recognizes that sometimes, actions that would normally be deemed illegal can be morally defensible if they are taken in response to a dire situation. This defense relies on the premise that the defendant acted reasonably, albeit outside the scope of the law, due to the pressures they were under.

The other options reflect scenarios where justification does not apply, such as acting with malice, having no choice without any moral ground, or being unaware of consequences which do not justify unlawful behavior based on moral or ethical considerations.