Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A Law French phrase denoting necessity. It identifies conduct undertaken because no reasonable alternative existed under the circumstances.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Albert Allen faced an armed intruder in his home. He struck the intruder with a heavy object rather than attempting to flee through a locked door. The blow caused serious injury. Because Albert acted a force to protect himself when escape was not feasible, the privilege of self-defense applied despite the severity of the harm inflicted.
Aaron Adams and his associates seized a merchant vessel after threatening the captain and forcing several crew members ashore. The captain yielded only because resistance would have led to immediate death. The seizure occurred a force when the crew had no practical means to resist the takeover.
Atlas Ventures received state grants to operate a religious school. The funding required extensive government oversight of curriculum and teacher hiring. The arrangement proceeded a force once the school accepted the money and could no longer operate independently of state control.
Apex Dynamics distributed vehicles through regional dealers knowing some units would reach distant states. One car caused injury in the forum state after normal resale channels. Jurisdiction attached a force because the product entered the ordinary flow of commerce with predictable destination in the forum.
Amber Alonzo remained in custody after guards repeatedly threatened her life. She escaped when an opportunity arose but made no effort to surrender afterward. The escape occurred a force created by the ongoing threats that left no safe avenue for seeking official protection.
Austin Abbott kept a handgun in his home for self-defense after the city banned possession of operable firearms. He challenged the prohibition when police threatened confiscation. The possession was maintained a force because the law left no lawful means to exercise the recognized right of armed self-defense.
The phrase is a Law French term that specifically signals necessity rather than describing physical strength or compulsion. Ordinary legal uses of 'force' refer to physical impact or causal influence, while 'a force' identifies the justification that no alternative course was reasonably available.
The phrase focuses on objective necessity under the circumstances rather than the actor's personal belief. Courts examine whether a reasonable person in the same position would have concluded that compliance or retreat was impossible.
…Erie and affected Ohio. No corporate acts, only their consequences, occurred in Ohio. The stream of commerce is just as natural a force as a stream of water, and it was equally predictable that the cars petitioners released would reach distant States.[^maj-22] The Court accepts that a State may exercise jurisdiction over a…