{"id":352208,"date":"2023-08-15T12:18:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T17:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/self-defense-overview.html"},"modified":"2023-08-15T12:18:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T17:18:05","slug":"self-defense-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/self-defense-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Self-Defense Law: Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Self-Defense Law: Overview<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Self-defense is using force or violence to protect oneself, or a third person, from imminent harm. In other words, the victim reasonably believes they are in immediate danger of imminent death, bodily injury, or serious bodily harm. This definition may seem simple enough, but it raises many questions when someone uses it in real life.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The idea that a person has the legal right to self-defense and the defense of others is widely accepted. This includes ways of defending yourself that would normally be a crime.<\/p>\r\n

Self-defense is an affirmative defense<\/a>. Each state allows you to claim self-defense<\/a> against violent crime accusations, such as a murder charge. Federal criminal law also allows this option. But self-defense laws vary from state to state. Some states have stand-your-ground laws<\/a>, while others do not. <\/p>\r\n

You should check the laws of your state to understand how to claim self-defense. You can also talk to a criminal defense attorney<\/a> if you aren’t sure whether you can claim self-defense in an ongoing case.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Self-Defense?<\/h2>\r\n

Courts struggle with determining an appropriate level of force or violence when a person defends themselves.<\/p>\r\n

In reviews of what are such appropriate levels of violence, courts often consider the following:<\/p>\r\n