What is required for a defendant to successfully assert the defense of property against someone privileged to enter?

The correct approach for a defendant asserting a defense of property revolves around the use of reasonable force in response to an unauthorized intrusion. A successful assertion of this defense typically demands that the force used to repel an intrusion is proportionate and not excessive.

In situations involving someone privileged to enter, the proper action does not allow for the use of force at all, especially when the individual has lawful permission to be there. Instead, the focus should be on whether the intrusion is truly wrongful—if it is not, the property owner cannot legitimately defend against the entry.

Unlike options that suggest conditions for force (such as prior warning or the necessity of deadly force), the underlying principle emphasizes that a defendant must not use any force against someone who has the right to enter. The rationale is grounded in the recognition of legal privileges that allow certain individuals, such as emergency responders or certain professionals, to enter property without the owner's consent.

Thus, asserting a defense of property against a person who is privileged to enter fundamentally requires acknowledgment of the legal rights involved, which ultimately does not permit the property owner to escalate matters into forceful resistance.