Questions for those versed in law... at what point in a VERBAL altercation are you LEGALLY justified

[OsO]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dusty Bake Activate]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

Who you planning on putting hands on? What’d they do?

 

[King Frost]

just shoot em and claim self defense
dead men tell no tales

 

[GhettoTeK]

just shoot em and claim self defense
dead men tell no tales

True

 

[newworldafro]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

I'm no lawyer, but honestly it depends on the state law or local ordinances probably too.

Good question though.

 

[acri1]

It really depends on if you can convince a judge that you or someone else was in physical danger.

Just saying you were insulted isn't going to be any sort of legal justification. Might be worth throwing hands anyway, that's your call but self-defense from physical violence is all that would fly in court.

 

[lightbearerchef]

Even if you do go to jail for assault you wont be in there that long.

 

[FeloniousMonk]

Unless there is no way you can retreat. ..because a judge will ask you why didnt you walk away.

You better have a good answer to why you engauged in mutual combat.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

@String Bell hey fakkit come be useful.

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

it's called self defence not offence. If you had any space time and opportunity to walk away before launching the first strike you will be charged.

there's no loop holes/gray area stop looking for them.... self defence

 

[Deuterion]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

Really depends on state and race. In California, you can’t even shoot someone who is brandishing a knife until they actually start to attempt an attack. Now add in Race, if you are Black and the person verbally attacking you is White you will not be justified in attacking them period. You don’t even want to put yourself in a position like that.

 

[GhettoTeK]

if you result to physical violence always catch the aggressor on video tape while in a verbal conflict. That would cover you, if you can walk away from the situation then do so though

 

[bdkane]

...to escalate to physical violence?

If they're threatening me with physical violence and I attack them first, am I legally protected?

If we're arguing and they come into arms length distance and I feel "threatened" so I attack first, am I legally protected?

If someone calls me a n*gger from 20 feet away and I run over and smash him, is that justified or am I going to jail?



I know this can be a gray area I'm just looking for educated opinions. Thanks in advance.

All these things kinda depend on where you live.
If the threat is credible i.e. they have a reasonable chance of carrying out threat imminently or immediately, you have the right to use physical force to protect yourself.
As to the second scenario. Them being that close to you in a hostile situation is an immediate threat, provided you did not approach first or was the first to close the distance to arms length.
The third scenario is a loser for you because while not cool, there is no immediate threat you can establish.
Some states have a duty to retreat except if the threat is imminent or immediate.
Hope that helps.
Now if you are black,the cops, prosecutor, and judge will probably ignore the legal technicalities that favor you and still arrest, charge and convict you.
You will probably have to get a paid lawyer because most public defenders will try to get you to cut a deal.

 

[GhettoTeK]

Really depends on state and race. In California, you can’t even shoot someone who is brandishing a knife until they actually start to attempt an attack. Now add in Race, if you are Black and the person verbally attacking you is White you will not be justified in attacking them period. You don’t even want to put yourself in a position like that.

Not if the person is being recorded and if not if take a gamble then, cause I’m not letting a person stab me

 

[acri1]

Unless there is no way you can retreat. ..because a judge will ask you why didnt you walk away.

You better have a good answer to why you engauged in mutual combat.

Pretty much.

You better have a good ass excuse for not walking away, otherwise the judge gonna be like