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Question 0

If you use excessive force in self-defense in tort, what are you liable for?

Answer 0

Amount of force that is excessive

Question 1

Can you threaten more force than you’re privileged to use for self-defense?

Answer 1

Yes, if your goal is to put the plaintiff in apprehension

Question 2

Are preemptive strikes allowed for self-defense?

Answer 2

Not usually, because self defense must be a response to an immediate threat, with the exception of present occasion situations

Question 3

What is the “present occasion” exception for self-defense?

Answer 3

If you’re locked in a cell (or suffering spousal abuse) and you know you’ll be attacked at night, you can preemptively protect yourself

Question 4

If the plaintiff knows the defendant has mistaken his identity, what is his duty in self-defense?

Answer 4

He must make reasonable efforts to resolve the mistake instead of using force

Question 5

What is the gun exception to duty to retreat for self-defense?

Answer 5

There is rarely a means of safe retreat, so if a gun is involved the minority view doesn’t apply

Question 6

What are the two positions on mistake for defense of others?

Answer 6

• Majority: if you make a mistake, you can’t use defense of others
• Minority: you’re allowed to make a reasonable mistake if a reasonable person in your position would have believed the defense was justified

Question 7

Why is it not okay to leave a bomb on a cash register to hurt thieves?

Answer 7

That is using excessive force, and you can never use deadly force to protect property

Question 8

Can reasonable mistakes be an excuse for defense of property?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Before using reasonable force to protect property, you must first do what?

Answer 9

Ask the person to desist. This is regularly tested

Question 10

What is the only time you’re allowed to use reasonable force to recover property?

Answer 10

If you were in hot pursuit of the defendant

Question 11

Can deadly force be used to recover property if you were in hot pursuit of the defendant?

Answer 11

Never

Question 12

What must you do before using reasonable force to promptly recover property in hot pursuit?

Answer 12

Demand the return of the property

Question 13

If property was taken under claim of right, can you use force?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

If you commit an attempted robbery and sue the victim for use of deadly force, and one answer pick says you are liable because deadly force could never be used to defend property, why should you watch out?

Answer 14

This is a robbery, not a defense of property

Question 15

Can you use force to recover possession of land?

Answer 15

• Majority: no because there is a procedure that must be resorted to
• Minority: can use reasonable, non-deadly force as long as you act promptly after discovering dispossession