Questions tagged [defense-of-others]
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Is it legal to use force against a person who is illegally trying to disconnect a hospital patient's life support with intent to kill the patient?
Alice is visiting Bob, who is on life support in a hospital, when Mallory comes into the room and tries to disconnect Bob's life support with intent to kill Bob. Is Alice allowed to use force against Mallory to protect Bob? There is no euthanasia…
Someone
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What would you be guilty for legally killing someone using illegal means?
The situation in question is similar to a scene from the TV show Burn Notice.
Micheal is being held hostage, at gun point, by an old enemy, Larry. Fiona rightfully believes that Larry is about to kill Micheal. Fiona attempts to kill Larry with a…
Ethan
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To what extent can you defend a pet?
I understand that the majority of law regarding pets, such as possession/custody, regards them as property. Unlike property, though, they aren't fungible, in that most property can be replaced by an identical item or money of equal value, but that…
Ethan
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Is use of force in defense of another legal if the person being defended opposes the use of force?
Bob threatens John with a gun. Alice, who is also carrying a gun (legally), draws her gun and aims at Bob, intending to shoot him in defense of John, who is unarmed. John says to her, "Don't shoot him!" Alice shoots Bob anyway. Is this legal?
Assume…
Someone
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Defense of Others: Using Force Against a Third Party Who Impedes Life-Saving Measures
Can "defense of others" be invoked as a legal defense when a third party prohibits access to life-saving measures for a person? Assume person A's life is in imminent danger. Person B's life-saving measures are impeded by person C. I am interested in…
S. G.
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Is deliberate radio interference justified in self-defense or defense of others?
Deliberate radio interference is normally, if not always, illegal. Is self-defense or defense of others a valid justification? If Alice hears Bob and Bill using radio to plan a violent crime, is it legal for her to jam their signals? If disrupting…
Someone
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Can a private party shoot down an aircraft in self defense or in defense of others?
If someone who is not associated with the police or military is certain that an aircraft is being used as a weapon for a violent crime (maybe someone is flying a small plane directly toward an occupied house), and that person legally possesses a…
Someone
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