did you know?

[Snakeeel]

Absolutely depends on the country or state you live in. In most states you are allowed to defend yourself if you fear for your life or the life of a family member. An old saying goes something like this..."I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6" if you get my meaning.

[ShotokanKid]

Never knew that before today. What if you use your knee?

[Muaythaiboxer]

if you know martial arts and you hit someone with excessive force you are attomatily charged with assult with a deadly weapon. in kansas at lest.

[ShotokanKid]

That's weird... do they do a background check on you to find out if you do MA or something?

[cathal]

Where I live in Canada is does have a factor. If they find out that you are a martial artist then they can judge the injuries of the other person in that context. If you have gone overboard then they'll charge you accordingly.

[Pacificshore]

In what country does this law apply?

From the description that the original poster was describing, it sounds like a California Penal Code Statute.

 

There is 242PC, which is Battery upon a person, and that is the unwanted touch upon a person, which could include, but not necessarily limted to a mere touch, push, slap, punch, bump, or spitting. This crime is a misdeamenor

 

Where it can become a 245PC-ADW(Felony) is when you continue to beat down on someone using your hands/feet, and they have no way of defending themselves or fighting back. Even if say you were the "victim" of an initial assualt, and you defended yourself to the point of making an escape and seeking help, but instead you decide/choose to finish the attacker off for "victimizing" you, then the tables are turned, and you now become the "suspect".

 

The right to defend yourself is never an issue, it just depends on how far one goes to defend themselves that come into question. Of course there will always be variables in any situation...ie, witnesses, armed vs. unarmed, size, location-out in public vs. private residence, overall circumstances.

 

So if your unfamiliar with your State/Country Statues, maybe learning what they are can save you some grief down the road if need be

[jarrettmeyer]

I wonder...Is it a state law or a federal law? hmmm...

 

In the United States, there are currently no federal punishments regulating non-government associated laws. i.e. There are federal laws regarding tax fraud because we have an IRS. There are no national self defense, assault, or murder laws. Even should something so terrible occur as the assassination of the President, that individual would be tried in the state in which the assassination was attempted.

 

States are left to their own powers to determine penalties for the criminal acts that occur in those states. So what might be self-defense in Indiana might get me thrown in jail in Michigan. I may have the right to carry a concealed firearm in Chicago, but it may not apply if I go to New York.

[Chaz]

I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6" if you get my meaning.

 

Thats a great saying! I'll remember that, lol

[karategirl06]

Stupid shoes...lol