excessive self-defense; unlawful defense
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
the act of self-defense that clearly exceeds the necessary limits and causes significant harm
formalA legal term in Chinese criminal law. It differentiates legitimate self-defense from unlawful acts that exceed what is necessary to stop an attack. While it still incurs criminal liability, the punishment is typically reduced or exempted.
The judge determined his actions constituted excessive self-defense and he needed to bear corresponding responsibility.
The Criminal Law stipulates that excessive self-defense shall bear criminal responsibility, but the punishment may be reduced or exempted.
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The boundary between justifiable self-defense and excessive self-defense is sometimes difficult to define.
His counterattack caused the attacker's death, and he was finally judged by the court to have committed excessive self-defense.