Defense of Others

Force may be used to defend others when they would be justified in using self-defense.

Representative cases

• State v. Dundon 594 N.W.2d 780 · Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Thomas v. State 192 N.W.2d 864 · Wisconsin Supreme Court
• State v. Hobson 577 N.W.2d 825 · Wisconsin Supreme Court

Related Intentional Torts rules

• Intentional Torts: IntentIntent exists when defendant acts with purpose or knowledge to a substantial certainty that harm will occur.
• Battery: ElementsBattery requires intent, harmful or offensive contact, and that contact be with plaintiff's person.
• Assault: ElementsAssault is intentional act creating reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact.
• False ImprisonmentFalse imprisonment is intentional confinement without lawful privilege and without consent.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIIED requires extreme and outrageous conduct intended or recklessly causing severe emotional distress.
• Trespass to LandTrespass to land requires intentional physical invasion of plaintiff’s real property.
• Trespass to ChattelsTrespass to chattels involves intentional interference with another’s possessory rights causing actual harm.
• ConversionConversion requires intentional dominion or control over chattel that seriously interferes with plaintiff’s rights.

Part of Torts on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.