This program is eligible for 1 hour of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 1.2 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Overview
“I was in fear for my life,” may not protect your client.
When it comes to defending yourself, knowing where the law stands is crucial. Being in fear for one’s life or the life of another is an important aspect of the defense of justification (“self-defense”), but it is far from the whole story.
Legal justification for the use of deadly force is a very complicated, technical, and often confusing subject. Your education starts here.
In this basic level program, Jonathan S. Goldstein, a National Rifle Association certified pistol instructor and volunteer attorney, explores the legal basis for the use of deadly force in Pennsylvania. He will walk you through key legal principles, real-world applications, and critical insights that could make all the difference in understanding self-defense laws.
What you’ll learn:
- When is deadly force justified? Understand the procedural and substantive aspects required to use deadly force.
- How the prosecution must present its case to prevail.
- The elements a defendant must demonstrate to prove legitimate use of deadly force.
- Key case law covering use of deadly force in defense of others.
- Evidentiary tools available to defendants to help demonstrate the reasonableness of their use of force up to and including deadly force.
The difference between a legal victory and a life-altering consequence often lies in understanding the law. Empower yourself with the knowledge of when, where, and how self-defense laws apply.
Recorded in March 2025.
Faculty
Jonathan S. Goldstein, Esq.
Jonathan Goldstein brings nearly 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner to his law practice. Mr. Goldstein’s practice focuses on firearms law and election law as well as entrepreneurial business advising. Mr. Goldstein is an NRA certified pistol instructor and is a volunteer attorney for several firearms organizations including the National Rifle Association. He actively lectures on firearms law and firearms safety across Pennsylvania and is a frequent presenter for continuing legal education providers such as CAPE and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. In May 2011, Mr. Goldstein was awarded the Defender of Justice Award by the National Rifle Association’s Institute of Legislative Action for his “tireless service to the Constitution and with particular emphasis on the protection and furtherance of the Second Amendment.” As of September 2018, Mr. Goldstein sat for
several years as a non-director member of the National Rifle Association board’s Legal Affairs Committee and was also a member of the NRA’s 2016 Nominating Committee. Mr. Goldstein is also very active in Pennsylvania politics. He has twice been a candidate for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Mr. Goldstein has litigated signature challenges in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and has briefed and won an election law appeal before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He regularly represents state and national political parties as well as state and local candidates across the Commonwealth. Mr. Goldstein received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. He returned to the University of Pennsylvania for law school, earning his J.D. in 2005. Mr. Goldstein is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well
as several Circuit courts and the United States Supreme Court where his firm argued a case in the 2023-2024 term. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Goldstein was the founder and President of Urban Technology Group, Inc., a technology services company. According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, Urban Technology Group, Inc. was the fastest growing services company in Philadelphia from 2000-2002. In 2002, Mr. Goldstein won the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award as one of the most influential
Philadelphians under the age of 40. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Goldstein also served as an Adjunct Professor in Temple University’s Fox School of Business teaching entrepreneurship and computer science to both undergraduates and M.B.A. candidates.
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