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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Elements of Crime & Liability

Self-defence

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˌself dɪˈfens/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, self-defence means: The legal right to use reasonable force to protect yourself or another person from an attack; it can be a complete defence to a criminal charge.

In Turkish: meşru müdafaa, kendini savunma

How it is used

Defendants 'claim' or 'plead' self-defence, and people 'act in self-defence'. Courts ask whether the force used was 'reasonable' or 'proportionate' in the circumstances. The American spelling is 'self-defense'.

Example sentences

  1. She told police she had hit him in self-defence.

  2. The jury accepted his claim of self-defence and acquitted him.

Common collocations

  • act in self-defence
  • claim self-defence
  • reasonable force
  • plead self-defence
  • defenceThe side in a criminal trial that represents the defendant; also a legal reason that can free a defendant from liability, such as self-defence.
  • assaultThe crime of attacking someone physically or, in strict legal use, making someone fear that they are about to be attacked.
  • criminal liabilityLegal responsibility for a crime, which means that a person can be prosecuted and punished for it.
  • acquitTo decide officially in court that a person is not guilty of the crime they were charged with.

More terms: Elements of Crime & Liability

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.