When can an individual claim self-defense?

An individual can claim self-defense when they believe that physical force is necessary to defend against unlawful force. This principle is established in Missouri law, where a person is justified in using reasonable force to protect themselves from an imminent threat of harm. The requirement is that the belief in the necessity of using force must be reasonable and based on the circumstances they are facing at that moment.

Self-defense does not require that an individual be in public places, nor does it require that they be unable to communicate their withdrawal from a confrontation. Additionally, being the initial aggressor typically negates a self-defense claim unless they have withdrawn from the confrontation and made it clear that they are not seeking to continue fighting. This understanding emphasizes the importance of the perceived threat and the immediacy of the danger when evaluating claims of self-defense.