Legal Definitions - legal force

Legal force refers to the use of reasonable force to protect oneself or one's property without facing criminal or tortious liability. It is a type of force that is not excessive and is appropriate for the situation at hand.

For example, if someone breaks into your home, you have the right to use reasonable force to protect yourself and your property. This may include using physical force to restrain the intruder or calling the police for assistance.

However, if you use excessive force, such as using a weapon to harm the intruder when they are no longer a threat, you may face criminal charges or a civil lawsuit for using unlawful force.

It is important to note that the use of deadly force is only permitted in self-defense if the other person is using deadly force against you. Using deadly force in any other situation may result in criminal charges.