Defense of Others or Property

Defense of Others or Property

Continue exploring self-defense by learning about when force may be used in defense of others or property.

Transcript

Let's continue our discussion of self-defense by considering when force can be used even though the defendant is not personally threatened.

For example, what if you see someone getting beat up? To what extent can you intervene? Both the common law and the Model Penal Code permit a person to use force in order to protect a third party.

I. Defense of Third Party

A. Historical Development

Traditionally, the common law allowed a person to defend a third party only to the extent that the third...