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?
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Posted by heartofjosh
LAWS OR NO LAWS - Anyone that messes with my girl is going down!!!
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Posted by AllaN
^ Agreed, You are with your girlfriend to protect her, so when shes in any danger, the obvious thing is to keep her safe
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Posted by heijin
well said, heartofjosh
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Posted by David
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. ;)
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Posted by Terry Ng
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?
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Posted by JwKuo87
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.
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Posted by paddyspoint
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.
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Posted by Hello Kitty
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.
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Posted by vm3z9
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?
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Posted by beni
thats picture is just nasty.
on a happier note, Candy Monster
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Posted by Dexter Kanuto
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.
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Posted by Police Oracle
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/section5/chapter_d.htmlCheers
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Posted by aammm
Hey, who gives a damn about the law, i would kill for my girlfriend =)
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