January 2015

The use of force in self-defense is known in the law as “justification”. The “black letter” law is found in Penal Law §35.15 (http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/PEN/ONE/C/35/35.15). The cases interpreting this law are legion. Justification is often misunderstood, even among attorneys and judges. The dynamics of violent encounters have practical complexities most legal professionals are not trained to […]