are there any self defense laws in new jersey?

[mariah J]

i was told by my law & public safety teacher that there are no self defense laws in new jersey. is that true?

 

[Polybius]

Yeah, it's basically "Sit down quietly and die." After all, you don't want to offend the criminal by being insensitive to his right to commit a crime against you.

 

[Slick]

True. I went to state prison with a 5 year sentence for defending myself from an attacker who had a baseball bat. He was hurt badly. Judge told me unfortunately NJ has no self defense laws and advised me to take the 5 yr plea. Convicted of 2nd degree agg. assault.

 

[flika]

Every jurisdiction's criminal law that I'm aware of recognizes SOME justification defenses. Defenses that exculpate a person under certain circumstances that would otherwise be considered a criminal offense.

 

[jsmack19]

There are.