Who started it? How much force did the defendant use? These are the kinds of questions that arise in self-defense cases. Look below for some basic information on the best known affirmative defense. (Also make sure to check out our article on Defenses to Criminal Charges.)
Even as the first person to use force, it’s possible to act in self-defense.
The law of self-defense allows people to use force, and sometimes deadly force, to defend themselves from an imminent threat of harm.
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