Dallas, TX asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee

Q: Is inflicting permanent blindness considered severe bodily harm and can I use deadly force to stop it?

I have seen numerous video's of protestors shining green lasers into the eyes of their opponents. Lasers can cause permanently blindness, especially at night. Would I be justified in using lethal force to prevent this happening to me or another person?

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Anthony M. Avery
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: If at possible you do not want to be the one the raise the defense. Deadly Force is extremely serious business, just the threat can get you in trouble. Many persons would not consider a laser to be deadly, which would hurt your case. And Self Defense is not a pre trial motion to dismiss. It is an affirmative defense which must be presented at trial, and the defendant has the burden of proof. There is no concrete answer to your question.

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