the use of reasonable force to protect oneself or members of the family from bodily
harm from the attack of an aggressor, if the defender has reason to believe he/she/they
is/are in danger. Self-defense is a common defense by a person accused of assault,
battery or homicide. The force used in self-defense may be sufficient for protection
from apparent harm (not just an empty verbal threat) or to halt any danger from
attack, but cannot be an excuse to continue the attack or use excessive force. Examples
an unarmed man punches Allen Alibi, who hits the attacker with a baseball bat. That
is legitimate self-defense, but Alibi cannot chase after the attacker and shoot
him or beat him senseless. If the attacker has a gun or a butcher knife and is verbally
threatening, Alibi is probably warranted in shooting him. Basically, appropriate
self-defense is judged on all the circumstances. Reasonable force can also be used
to protect property from theft or destruction. Self-defense cannot include killing
or great bodily harm to defend property, unless personal danger is also involved,
as is the case in most burglaries, muggings or vandalism.
law dictionary, legal
dictionary, online law dictionary, legal terms dictionary,
online legal dictionary, legal definition, legal
terms and definition, Best online Dictionary, Law
Dictionary Software, Download Law Dictionary, law
dictionary, legal dictionary, online law dictionary,
legal terms dictionary, online legal dictionary,
legal definition, legal terms and definition, Best
online Dictionary, Law Dictionary Software, Download
Law Dictionary
