Yes all states permit self-defense; and it is asserted by someone charged with a crime of violence, such as battery (striking someone), assault with a deadly weapon or murder. The defendant admits that she did in fact commit the crime, but claims that it was justified by the other person's threatening actions. The issues in most self-defense cases are:

1) Who was the aggressor?
2) Was the defendant's belief that self-defense was necessary a reasonable one?
3) If so, was the force used by the defendant also reasonable?

Self-defense is in the belief that people should be allowed to protect themselves from physical harm. This means that a person does not have to wait until she is actually struck to act in self-defense. If a reasonable person would think that she is about to be physically attacked, she has the right to strike first and prevent the attack. But she cannot use more force than is reasonable-if she does, she may be guilty of a crime.

Therefore if you are faced with possible harm or threat of harm and you have no wait out to escape the harm, you can defend yourself by exerting only reasonable force under the circumstances.

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