How do the laws regarding "self-defense" in your area affect how you train in, and/or teach, martial arts?

I live in a state that is pro-defense including having a Castle Doctrine that is supported by both the people and the state government including the police departments. The only area of the law that really influence how I train or teach has to do with the practical aspect of the law. For example, when confronted with a violent situation AND there are witnesses, you have to establish in the minds of those around you that YOU are trying to avoid the confrontation and therefore the other person initiating the confrontation is at fault.

The reason for this is that if the police arrives and the case goes to court, the last thing you want is for the witnesses to say that you were itching for the fight. For example, "I was standing there watching when that guy screamed out what sounded like a war cry, went into some martial art stance and shouted "bring it on you Mother@X&*$" and beat the crap out of the other guy." That won't endear you to the judge or jury.

The laws in my state say that you can use enough force to neutralize the threat. Someone calling you names does not constitute a threat that validates the use of violence in retaliation. Someone throwing a punch at you does validate retaliation, but now to the extent of deadly force. If you are attacked with a knife you should disarm the attacker and knock him out. Rewtrain him until the police can arrive. The FIRST lesson in self defense is to be aware of your surroundings, and avoid any situation that looks like trouble. There is no shame in walking away from a potentially dangeroug situation.

We must all operate within the law and encourage others to do the same. That being said, I can understand why someone, even in a legit self defense situation, would not hang around after the fact to explain it all to the authorities. Once your name is connected to a situation, you expose yourself to possible retaliation.

I am the law. I will do what I need to do but that certainly doesn't involve the use of knives as i'm not begging to be put in prison either.

im not a lawyer or a civil code expers but I do know

whoever interprets the code for you is just as suspect as

you are whether its a female judge and/or male judge your

fu8cke ,sometimes theyres different shades of grey

so in effect the best law to abide by is to unto other as

you would have them done unto you

They don't. My values and my character are. The law agrees with them though:)