It’s pretty well know that there are laws that protect you when you’re defending yourself in a fight, but what if it’s your girlfriend or someone else that needs a helping hand?
Most states recognize this as “defense of others” where force is used to protect another from danger, and will grant you the same rights as if you were acting on self-defense. Generally, you need to prove that you used reasonable force and that she was in real danger of being hurt.
I think the laws are still pretty murky, and that the legal justification of protecting your girlfriend isn’t as clear-cut as self-defense.
What do you think? Is it illegal to protect your girlfriend? Would you not step in unless you knew for a fact she couldn’t handle it herself for worry that you’ll be locked up? Act now, think later?
LAWS OR NO LAWS – Anyone that messes with my girl is going down!!!
^ Agreed, You are with your girlfriend to protect her, so when shes in any danger, the obvious thing is to keep her safe
well said, heartofjosh
I’d say, protect her with my life. Hey, once you jump in to help, you gotta protect yourself from the other person right? so that makes it totally self defense too. ;)
Let’s say… the two of you are at a club. You step away to hit the bathroom for a minute, and come back out noticing some jerk is trying to grab your girl and won’t let her go.
You step in of course, exchange a few words and the jerk pushes you. You push him back, and then a fight ensues. Your adrenaline is pumping and you end up sending the guy to the emergency room.
Was it self-defense? Were you really just defending her?
I wouldn’t consider that to be self defense. The whole thing escalated when you stepped in. And you probably could have controlled yourself from engaging in a fight. When somebody pushes you and you push him back, that’s not what I would call self defense. That’s childish to some extent, since it basically comes down to getting even with the excuse “he pushed me first”.
I think I’d consider it to be self defense when the conflict has already become somewhat dangerous.
the picture with the police officer is scary, btw.
please change it.
if your girlfriend asks for your help, then help her.
if she can defend herself, and wants to defend herself, then maybe you should let her (one of these girl-power movements where women assert their strength).
unless of course it is a life-or-death situation, you have an obligation to save her life, with or without her consent.
Terry: you can of course justifiably defend family and friends in the same way as you can defend yourself. However, keep in mind that you can only defend, and only defend if necessary (i.e. avoiding the confrontation is not possible).
What you have described in the comments sounds more like a fight than defending anybody. A threatening push can in no way justify sending someone to the emergency room. Neither you nor your girlfriend was put into any risk of real harm.
On the other hand, the cops usually wouldn’t care about small fights that don’t result in much damage. So if someone punches you or tries to grab your girlfriend, you can show him he’s messing with the wrong guy and stop there. DON’T send him to the emergency room.
I’d say it’s self-defense if the other person escalates the situation where you have no choice but to retaliate to keep harm from yourself.
What would you do if your girl was fighting another girl?
It depend, but if somebody touch on my girl … “is going down!!!”
thats picture is just nasty.
on a happier note, Candy Monster
A man’s nature is to defend a woman. If the woman can’t fight herself out of the brawl, then a man should do his duty. Sometimes, women can kick ass better than men. Maybe your woman can have a special skill in martial arts, and sometimes, she don’t need your help after all, oh what a strong woman she’ll be.
Hi there,
You’re covered under UK law.
You may only use reasonable force.
In certain circumstances you may be able to use a ‘pre-emptive strike’.
Makesure that inform the police about the incident as soon as practicable.
Further reading here.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/se.....ter_d.html
Cheers
Hey, who gives a damn about the law, i would kill for my girlfriend =)
Okay, if someone is threatening her life or seriously beating her up, I would step in and protect my girlfriend, but I’ve had other situations where I should have not stepped in. Example: girlfriend and I are at a bar, she complains about having these guys that keep groping and grabbing her. I kept insisting that she point them out to me, she says no but finally gives in. I went over and stupidly asked if they were harassing my girlfriend. These guys get up in my face, ready to fight, the bouncer kicks us all out and before I know it, there are like three guys pounding me into the concrete. I ended up in the hospital. We could have just left or I could have just told the bouncer that some guys were harassing my girl.
So my question is, if some guy is grabbing or groping your girl, not threatening her life, or insults your girlfriend in front of you, is it worth fighting? I don’t think so, but then again, I don’t want to look like a wuss.
of course its leagal to protect yer girl aslong as you dont use to much force i.e. breaking limbs so on and so forth i have a military background so if i was to step in i could only restrain but if i didnt have the military training i have then i would be allowed to go as far as to throw a few punches.
If you sent the guy to the ER…. I dont think that is classified under “self defense” guys… you totally knocked him into the ER… I think self defense is at the level only ENOUGH force is use to block or stop the assault but doesnt mean you can go crazy and sent anyone to the ER. You do realize that in the process of self defense and you became the assaut person you will get charges pressed against you right? So that’s mean, if someone start something with you or your GF, you beat him enough for him to stop is ok, but if you knocked him enough he stop and you began to go crazy on him and send him to the ER you are now the assaulting person…