Is it legal to punch someone if they hit you first?

Question

Theres a kid thats really starting to bug me... so if he hits me in school, its considered self defense to hit back right?

Answer 1

Yes, hitting back is legal.

I read your question over again, and its the same for me.

Okay, some students in my school, they act all tough, and think their all better.
Well, some hit me, like just a joke, and I allow it. Becuase, their not doing it on and on.
But, some people hit everyone, and I don't allow.
So, if they do it, and I'm not okay with it, I am going to take some action, you know why? You can't just stand there, becuase of the saying, "Don't let anyone bother you, or they are gonna be your *****". Like, they are going to do it a lot, and you can't just stand there. So, I'm gonna fight back.
I hope this helps.
My advice is to, talk to someone and tell them to stop.
What works for me, is: Tell them "Do you like touching men?"
He will stop, becuase what you just said is, that he must be gay if he keeps on touching you.
I tried that in my school with this one kid, and it stopped.
Also, the guy above, is correct. Take all his advice.

Answer 2

The first answer is correct.... however, a lot of schools do punish both parties involved in fights.

If you're in high school and of age [18], the school will [most times] turn the incident over to the campus police. The HS I went to, the campus police officer was a real city police officer… so anyone involved in big fights or individuals who were 18 and participating in fights were escorted off the campus and dealt with from there.

The best bet is to let someone [a teacher you trust] know what’s going on… maybe you can prevent the incident before it happens.


Just remember… once you’re out of school, there will ALWAYS be punishment for hitting another person. Even if the person hits you first, you can be punished… the only time hitting back is dismissible is if you truly believe your life is in danger.

Answer 3

It all depends on your state. Some states don't believe in Self Defense as far as I know.

Why don't you tell someone about this kid? Hitting him back will lead to trouble for you! How many fights have you seen where both kids got in trouble for fighting? It didn't matter who threw the first punch. Tell the kid to get off your back or else he'll have to deal with ME.

I"M not in school any more. LOL

Answer 4

There was this boy from Pakistan who I go to school with and apparently I was beeing racist to him so after the det there was about 3-4 of us then he punched me in the face then grab me punched me to in the side of the head then I punched him back in the face he punch me again and I hit him for the second time then throw on the floor punched him about 7-8 times then he got up I punched him in the head about 3-4 times push him away then we both walk off dose this mean this is legal because he hit me 2 times first or is this illegal because I have been brought up if someone hits you first you hit them back

Answer 5

I have been in this mess before. If someone punches you, and you have a witness, walk away, DO NOT PUNCH BACK!

Ok, yes, that seems cowardly, but you would save yourself a world a trouble in legal headaches.

If someone punches you, you call the police, plain and simple.

You will do a LOT more damage to them by letting the police handle it. Charges can be filed, they can be hauled into court, they can have a permanent record of their "criminal" action, and they probably would never bother you again. Nobody likes going to court.

Yes, it is not a "macho" thing to do. Making someone suffer through the legal system though, is like putting their balls in a vise and letting it slowly turn. Sweet and long revenge!

Answer 6

Zach,

Sadly, our schools are full of pansy liberal educators who believe that any violence is evil. Our schools teach that you cannot physically stand up for yourself anymore, and that any time you resort to violence you are wrong.

I think that there is something fundamentally wrong with this belief, and believe that if you can't stand up for yourself, who is going to do it for you?

Now, my personal opinion: if this kid hits you, the gloves come off. Beat him to a pulp, hold him down and force him to apologize, then help him up and shake his hand. Never hold a grudge after that, and you may make a new friend. That's the good old way, 1940's style to handle the situation. Sadly my friend, you had better have a lawyer on staff, cause the kid's family will sue you in civil court, you will be arrested in school for assault, suspended or expelled, and forced to pay restitution and go to an alternative school. Major BS, but that is the way schools do it today.

The Modern Way Solution: Talk to your guidance counselor, teacher, etc. Talk to your parents. Tell the kid to knock it off. If he punches you, make sure there are witnesses. Don't punch back, because the school system will make you accountable for defending yourself.

Remember, the American Public School system now has a Zero Tolerence Policy for everything. This is the same system that suspended a 2nd grade boy for drawing a picture of a kid squirting a squirt gun. They expelled a 4th grader for bringing his GI Joe toy to school, because the toy had a 1/4" handgun. I pity you for being in our modern school system.

If you want, when you go to your parents or the office at school, take this with you. Maybe you have a great school that uses common sense rather than zero tolerance policies, one that lets kids stick up for themselves. However, seeing how school react, I just don't know.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Yes it is ive always been taught if someone touches me in an inappropriate way or a nasty way then I ll be able to touch them back may even bring force

Answer 8

Depends on the state. In the great state of Texas, not only can you hit him back, you can probably shoot him and still be legally in the right. If you hit him back in Massachusetts, you probably risk jail time...

Answer 9

"Hitting back" is retribution, not self-defense.

It's self defense ONLY if you hit him to stop him hitting you again. If it's just payback, it's still illegal.

Richard

Answer 10

Yes, but only if he hits you first. (get a witness)