How is the defense of necessity typically characterized?

The defense of necessity is characterized by responding to an urgent and unavoidable situation where a person feels compelled to violate the law to prevent greater harm. This legal principle acknowledges that under certain circumstances, adhering to the law may lead to worse outcomes than breaking it. For instance, if someone breaks into a building to escape a life-threatening situation, such as a natural disaster, this could be viewed as a necessary action to protect oneself from immediate harm. In essence, the necessity defense asserts that the defendant acted out of necessity to avoid significant and imminent danger, making it a well-recognized justification within legal contexts.