Lesson 16 · Prevention
Law and responsibility
Assess. Act as necessary. Stop in time.
Under German law, self-defence can justify action against a present unlawful attack on you or another person. It does not justify punishment or revenge. This lesson explains core principles of German law and is not legal advice for a specific case. Rules differ between jurisdictions.
Decision compass
Decide safely
Four questions lead from observation to a clear, safer action.
What needs to be clarified now?
What must I notice first?
- Start in a familiar, low-risk setting and identify a clear exit or support option.
- Separate observable behaviour from assumptions about a person.
Remember: Observe → assess → choose a safer option → act.
Recognise the situation and act early
The four illustrations connect perception, positioning and a safer exit.
Classify the attack
German self-defence law requires a present unlawful attack. It is present when it is immediately imminent, currently taking place or still continuing. An earlier insult or later revenge does not qualify.
Self-defence and defence of others
The purpose is to protect yourself or another person. In both cases, the objective is to stop the attack—not to punish or dominate the attacker afterwards.
Act as necessary
The defensive action must be capable of ending the attack immediately and reliably. If several equally effective and safely available means exist, German law generally requires the less harmful one; you do not have to rely on an uncertain defence.
Stop and secure
Once the attack has safely ended, further force is no longer justified. Create distance, contact police or emergency medical services, enable first aid, and preserve witnesses and evidence.
Sound decisions
- Reassess the concrete danger and safe exits continuously
- Act only while the attack continues
- Contact police or medical services afterwards
- Document witnesses, injuries and events factually
Avoid
- Confusing self-defence with revenge or punishment
- Continuing physical force after the attack has safely ended
- Treating self-defence and necessity as identical
- Applying broad legal phrases mechanically to every case
Knowledge check
Choose the option that preserves safety
Someone raises a bottle to strike and blocks the only nearby exit. What is the legal purpose of a physical response?
- APunish the person for the behaviour.
- BStop the present attack with necessary defensive action and stop once the danger has safely ended.
- CUse as many techniques as possible to demonstrate superiority.
- DRetaliate physically at a later time.
Show answer
B. Self-defence serves to stop a present unlawful attack. What is necessary and lawful depends on the specific situation. Once the danger has safely ended, retaliatory force is not justified.
Use force only to stop the current attack. Stop when the danger ends, create distance and call the police or medical services.
Primary legal sources
German law in its official English translation
These references support orientation only. They do not replace advice on a specific case or the law applicable in another jurisdiction.