If you have been accused of an assault in New York, you are probably feeling worried about the potential consequences of the accusation. Being charged with any type of assault can lead to life-changing consequences for your entire future. That’s why it is important that you take action to defend yourself.
If a fight breaks out in a bar or on the street, things can escalate very quickly and it can be near-impossible for an objective view of the course of events to be established. That’s why people sometimes end up accused of assault even though they were standing on the sidelines or were simply acting in self-defense.
Can I claim self-defense in my assault case?
Self-defense is an action that is taken in order to prevent injury or suffering from an imminent threat from another. For example, if you find yourself in an argument and you have a good reason to believe that you will be physically hurt if you do not take forceful defensive action, that might be considered self-defense.
What can complicate a self-defense claim?
Every case is different. The decision to respond violently in your own defense to a threat has to be reasonable for the situation — but that’s usually a subjective call. It can be hard to make a judge or jury understand the true nature of a situation and your reason for acting.
If you have been accused of assault, it helps to understand how the law regards claims of self-defense and the challenges you may face in court. Your defense attorney can help you better address the unique facts of your situation.
