What is justified when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect themselves against unlawful force?

The concept of self-defense is rooted in the idea that individuals have the right to protect themselves from imminent harm or unlawful force. When a person reasonably believes that they are in immediate danger, self-defense allows them to take action to prevent potential injury or harm.

Self-defense is considered a justified response to an actual or perceived threat, provided that the reaction is proportionate to the threat faced. This means that an individual can use reasonable force to defend themselves but cannot escalate the situation beyond what is necessary to negate the threat.

In contrast, retaliation suggests a sense of revenge rather than immediate protection against harm. Aggravated defense is not a recognized legal term related to justifiable responses to threats, and defensive aggression implies an aggressive stance rather than a protective one. Therefore, self-defense is the appropriate legal justification in situations where a person seeks to avoid harm from unlawful force.