Legal Definitions - urban-fear syndrome

Urban-Fear Syndrome, also known as Urban-Survival Syndrome, is a self-defense theory that suggests a defendant who uses unreasonable force may be acquitted if they live in a dangerous environment that heightens their fears of injury to life or limb so much that the force used seemed reasonable and necessary to the defendant.

For example, if someone who lives in a high-crime area is attacked and uses excessive force to defend themselves, they may be able to use the Urban-Fear Syndrome defense in court. The defense argues that the defendant's fear of being harmed was so great that they believed the force they used was necessary to protect themselves.

Another example could be a police officer who uses excessive force while apprehending a suspect in a dangerous neighborhood. The officer may argue that their fear of being harmed was so great that they believed the force they used was necessary to protect themselves and others.

Overall, the Urban-Fear Syndrome defense is used to justify the use of excessive force in situations where the defendant's fear of harm was heightened due to their environment.