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Defenses to TN Crimes: Self-Defense

By Baker Associates

When charged with a violent crime, including homicide or assault in Tennessee, the defendant may enter a plea of not guilty along with a plea of self-defense. If proven, self-defense is a complete bar to criminal liability. When people are threatened by the use of force or threat of force, creating in their mind a reasonable belief of imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury, they are legally justified in threatening or using force to defend themselves?even to the extent of killing the initial aggressor. If while in his or her home or business, a defendant is presumed to have exercised lawful self-defense if he or she uses force or threat of force against someone who is believed to have unlawfully and forcefully entered the defendant?s home...continue to full post

Full post as published by Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog on June 24, 2009 (boomark / email).