Columbia, MO asked in Personal Injury for Missouri

Q: If someone puts you at risk for injury and you fight them will you be protected in anyway?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
Answered
  • Little Neck, NY

A: A Missouri attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for a week. It could depend on what is meant by putting you at risk for injury. If they pose an immediate threat of physical harm, it could be a matter of self-defense. But the nature of the risk isn't clear from your post. Although you posted under Personal Injury, this sounds like something that a criminal defense attorney could explain better. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

Roderick C. White
Roderick C. White
Answered
  • St. Louis, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: The answer to your question would require a detailed explanation of the circumstances of the specific and an analysis of Missouri self-defense law. I do not yet have the specifics of your scenario but I will provide you with the general principles of Missouri self-defense law:

Physical force:

May be used when individuals reasonably believe that the physical force used is necessary for the defense of themselves (or others) from an imminent attack of unlawful force from another person.

May be used when individuals believe that the force is reasonably necessary to prevent another person from stealing, causing property damage, or tampering.

Deadly force:

May be used when a person reasonably believes that the level of force is necessary for self-defense or defense of others (including unborn children) in response to an imminent threat.

A person has no duty to retreat:

From their dwelling, residence, or vehicle

From their private property

If the person is any other location where they have the right to be

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