Which defense involves acting to protect oneself or others from imminent harm?

• A. Alibi
• B. Self-Defense
• C. Diminished Mental Capacity
• D. Infancy

Answer: (B)

Self-defense is a legal defense used when you act to stop an imminent threat to yourself or others. The key ideas are immediacy, necessity, and proportionality. Imminence means the danger is immediate and real, not something that could happen later. Necessity means there was no reasonable alternative to using force. Proportionality means the force used matches the threat and isn’t excessive. When these conditions are met and the belief that danger exists is reasonable, the defensive action can excuse or reduce liability.

An alibi is about proving you were somewhere else at the time, which doesn’t address danger or a threat. Diminished mental capacity concerns how mental state affects culpability, not defending against an immediate threat. Infancy relates to the age of the accused and general capacity for intent, not the act of protecting oneself or others from danger.