Legal Advice on Defending Yourself Against Others

At one time, it was not illegal to defend yourself ifthe thirdparty.]" This person cannot use this action if
someone attacked you on the streets. However, inahe feels that the third party is in no danger;
few states, if you retaliate when assaulted, bothhowever, ifthe party feels that the victim is in a life
parties are arrested, even though you werethreatening situation, or else brutality is involved, then
merelydefending yourself against the attacker.thisperson must use thoughtful consideration in taking
This is sounds like insanity, but the laws hasaction to protect the third party.
determined that "word against word" is the issue;Other states may only permit the party to restrain
thus,the crime should be taken to court to determinethe culprit until the police arrive. Yet, few stateswill
what caused the incident, why the incidentconsider this act a Citizen's Arrest, where the party
occurred,and who is responsible for the crimeholds the culprit temporarily in his/hercustody until the
committed. If there is a third party involved in thepolice arrive at the scene of the crime. For more
act--rather ifa third person intervenes in an attemptinformation on self-defense, checkyour local state
to protect the victim--it may fall under the "alter egolaws. This is crucial because your stay may have
rule" orrather the third person is permitted to defendcompletely different laws than thelaw cited above
the victim on particular grounds.from the state of Texas-and if you have to defend
Under the Texas Penal Codes, for example, the lawyourself in court, you will want toknow what those
states that under a defending act of a thirdlaws are and if they work in your favor or against
party,that the person is legally excused if thisyou.
persons utilizes "force against another to... [protect