Defending Your Self-Defense Claim: What You’ll Need to Prove

The whole thing happened so quickly, you can’t even remember what started it. You were at the birthday party of a close friend in Ballentine, when you were suddenly attacked by one of the guests. First you were punched in the face, and then the person knocked you over and continued to throw punches. You were finally able to fend him off by delivering a few hits of your own, and soon the fight was broken up by other attendees.

Simply trying to move on without creating any more drama, you went home and didn’t file a police report. The next morning, you are informed the person who attacked you says your actions caused him to go to Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center for treatment for his injuries, and now he’s pressing charges against you. How can this happen?

What You’ll Need to Prove Self Defense

You know you acted in self defense, but can you prove that to a judge? You’ll need to provide certain evidence showing you were only protecting yourself. If not, you could face serious charges. To prove your innocence, you’ll need to prove that:

  • Your actions were proportional to the assailant’s actions. One of the biggest factors in proving self defense is showing that you did not use excessive force when defending yourself. For instance, pulling out a gun on someone who pushes you isn’t typically seen as proportionate, and you could receive charges.
  • You thought your life was in danger. In order to convince the judge you were within your rights of self defense, you’ll need to show that you were in fear for your life when you reacted, particularly if serious injuries were inflicted against your assailant.

You’ll Also Need a Skilled Legal Team on Your Side

Finding witnesses who can corroborate your story may help you prove your case, but unless you have an experienced legal team on your side, you may not find the right ones. You may also fail to prove your side of the story effectively. Don’t take the chance. The attorneys of Tavss Fletcher will attempt to help you show the court you were the victim in the situation. Contact us today to learn how.