Self-Defense

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Self-Defense

Definition

One person’s use of force to defend against the imminent use of unlawful force by another person. A person may use non-deadly force in self-defense if he actually and reasonably believes that the force is necessary to defend against imminent, unlawful force. A person may use deadly force in self-defense if she actually and reasonably believes that deadly force is necessary to protect herself from imminent death or serious bodily injury. In some jurisdictions, deadly force may also be used to defend against especially serious crimes, such as kidnapping or rape.

Related rules

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— Alexander v. State

Mauris finibus odio eu maximus interdum. Ut ultricies suscipit justo in bibendum. Sed eu magna efficitur, luctus lorem ut, tincidunt arcu. Praesent varius sit amet erat hendrerit placerat. In posuere eget ante id facilisis. Integer semper venenatis felis lacinia malesuada.

— Arizona v. Buggs

Mauris finibus odio eu maximus interdum. Ut ultricies suscipit justo in bibendum. Sed eu magna efficitur, luctus lorem ut, tincidunt arcu. Praesent varius sit amet erat hendrerit placerat. In posuere eget ante id facilisis. Integer semper venenatis felis lacinia malesuada.

— Arizona v. Grannis

Mauris finibus odio eu maximus interdum. Ut ultricies suscipit justo in bibendum. Sed eu magna efficitur, luctus lorem ut, tincidunt arcu. Praesent varius sit amet erat hendrerit placerat. In posuere eget ante id facilisis. Integer semper venenatis felis lacinia malesuada.

— Arizona v. Reid

Mauris finibus odio eu maximus interdum. Ut ultricies suscipit justo in bibendum. Sed eu magna efficitur, luctus lorem ut, tincidunt arcu. Praesent varius sit amet erat hendrerit placerat. In posuere eget ante id facilisis. Integer semper venenatis felis lacinia malesuada.

— Bartlett v. State

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