Legal Question in Criminal Law in United States
If I witness an attack on someone who is not a member of my family, can I legally use reasonable, non-deadly force on the attacker until he is subdued or flees.
Asked on 8/16/15, 10:17 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman
Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman
That depends. The rules vary from state to state, and you haven't told us what state you're in.
Generally, you may use the amount of force that seems reasonably necessary under the circumstances when defending yourself or others from an unjustified attack. That can even be deadly force, if the circumstances warrant it. Whether the person you're defending is a family member is not as important as you seem to think it is. But as I said, what's allowed in one state might not be allowed in another.
Answered on 8/16/15, 10:23 pm
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