Found an issue on this page? Let us know and we will look into it as soon as possible.
Can I legally punch someone who insults my wife?
Anonymous2 views3 answers
I was at a club recently and some obvious;y drunk guy was calling my wife several obscene words for no apparent reason. I told him to apologize, and he spit at me but I managed to duck and it hit the elderly lady behind me in the face. I was going to haul off and punch him in the face but my wife grabbed my arm. Question, If I had actually connected my fist to his face, just like guys like John Wayne and Humprey Bogart would have done in the movies, could I have been arrested? Or am i within my legal rights defending my wifes honor?
John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart are no longer with us.
In dire circumstances reasonable force relative to the force of an attacker is allowed in self defense. But, in your case you were not subject to any physical threat in the sense requiring self defense. Use of a punch by you was not justified.
Yes, you could have been arrested and charged with assault and battery, which is an unprivileged unconsented touching.
I hate to be the one to break it to you but there's a lot of stuff in the movies that's entertaining, but bears no resemblance to real life. See: Rambo, E.T, The Hulk, Star Trek ... I kind of miss Marilyn Monroe myself.
