| Being able to defend ourselves with whatever | | | | threat. |
| force deemed reasonably necessary against any | | | | Now, if you kill or seriously injure someone, |
| actual or threatened violence is not only legally | | | | regardless of the circumstances, you will go to jail. |
| right, but also morally justifiable. Self defense feels | | | | The police will not assume you acted in self |
| just like a natural and basic right everyone has. | | | | defense. You will have to be prepared to defend |
| But self defense has a lot of legal ramifications | | | | yourself again, in a court of law. This is just how |
| and that is why some people are asking the | | | | the law of self defense works. There is another |
| question - can you go to jail for self defense? | | | | aspect of the self defense law that requires the |
| The answer to this question is yes. | | | | victim to call for help first. In other words, call 911 |
| Since self defense laws vary from state to state, | | | | first and if you are attacked before the police |
| there are has been various misconceptions as to | | | | arrive, then you can use whatever force is |
| the interpretation of these laws. But one thing | | | | reasonably necessary to defend yourself. You will |
| that is consistent in the law in all of the fifty | | | | never be charged with a crime if it can be proven |
| states is the extent to which someone can claim | | | | that you actually called the police before defending |
| self defense. You cannot use excessive force and | | | | yourself. On the other hand, if you knowingly |
| claim self defense. Clearly, you cannot shoot an | | | | avoided calling the police and decide to "take care |
| unarmed man that is attacking you or on verge | | | | of business" yourself, then is rest assured that |
| of attacking you. You cannot keep hitting a | | | | you will be spending some time in the local county |
| subdued aggressor or attacker. All of these | | | | jail. |
| actions are considered excessive and will land you | | | | While we all the right to defend ourselves, we |
| in jail. In addition, the level of force used in | | | | should always do whatever we possibly can to |
| defending yourself must not exceed that of the | | | | avoid conflict and crisis situations. However, you |
| threat. This one seems a little vague, so it might | | | | would rather kill or permanently injure your |
| be very difficult to prove that the level of force | | | | attacker and to go court to defend yourself than |
| of your response actually exceeded that of the | | | | to be victimized. |