At What point is it appropriate to beat the living crap out of somebody who has been giving you trouble?

Question

At what point is it appropriate to beat the living crap out of somebody who has been giving you grief the majority of your school life? I dont mean ethically or morally, but legally. Can somebody sue me if I, lets say for example, knock out a few of their teeth, EVEN if they hit me first (and I have witnesses). In other words, what does the law consider appropriate self defence, and am I liable if I seriously hurt someone who regularly, though minorly, (tries to) hurt me?

ADDED DETAILS- What are the southern California laws?

Answer 1

A simple fistfight among adults can be construed as Assault and Battery which could carry fines as much as $25,000.00 and/or 5 years in jail depending upon which state it occurs.

One or both of the parties involved, would have to file a complaint with the local police department and the states attorney's office at the local courthouse.

It is always best to walk away or avoid contact of any type with this person. You will be the better man for it.

As minors, probation, community service, a fine, and a juvenile record would probably be the maximum punishment.

The minimum punishment would be complete dismissal by the court.

It makes no difference which party hit whom first. The fistfight would be construed as mutually agreed upon.

Answer 2

I know that for my school you can get expelled for fighting no matter who starts and even if it occurs after school. Technically both people, you and the sob, would have had to go home drop your stuff off, waited until about 5 or 6 pm which is definately out of school hours and then met the dude in a spot at least 5 miles away from school. (we had fights about every other week)

Answer 3

Depends on state to state, but he actually has to touch you in an aggressive manor just barley touch you and you can nail him You might get arrested so be smart and have an attorney or family member ready to bail you out.
Before I used to beat up people that mess with me I used to go to the courts and find out what the bail would be for such an offense. Have my brother ready to post bail. Have some wittiness. Then you ready to rock an roll . After you win you case. you get your money back . See all you got to do is learn how to work the system. Attorney all the have to do is bond out with the city in which they work. Say they put a 100,000 dollar bond with L.A city, That attorney can bail out 1000000 dollars

Answer 4

Cyanne is right, but I want to add--fighting on school grounds or during school hours can get you thrown out of school, even if it is self-defense. Most schools have zero-tolerance policies for fighting and don't even ask who started what.

EDIT - these are the rules in So. Cal.

Answer 5

Noblesse Oblige......how andy are you? Are you good and bad at games?
Karate Ni Sentinachi as we say in Great Britain.....

I think the law would look at it on a knock for knock basis...
Don't make a martyr of yourself.......get someone else to do that 4 u!

Answer 6

Legally, it is only appropriate if you fear you are in physical danger, and the amount of force you can use depends on what your jurisdiction feels is "appropriate." You can't use a weapon unless you think they're actually going to kill you - and even then, in some places you still can't use a weapon.

Answer 7

dont fight them at school but if he or she hits you first then u have the right to beat the crap out of them just dont use a weapon

Answer 8

You should be allowed to fight him. If there is a law about a little fist fight, that's just retarded.

Answer 9

raichasays is right for saying cyanne is right lol

Answer 10

if they hit you first you are legally safe to "defend yourself"