In self-defense, what does 'reasonable force' mean?

In the context of self-defense, 'reasonable force' refers to employing the minimum force needed to prevent harm. The principle behind this is that individuals have the right to protect themselves from harm, but they must do so in a way that is proportionate to the threat they are facing. This means that the response must be limited to what is necessary to stop the immediate danger without escalating the situation unnecessarily or causing excessive harm.

For example, if someone is faced with a verbal threat or minor physical aggression, responding with minimal force would be appropriate, whereas using deadly force would not be justified unless the situation escalated to a point where it became necessary for self-protection. The law generally expects individuals to avoid using more force than is needed to ensure their safety or the safety of others, thus upholding the principle of proportionality in self-defense scenarios. This balance helps minimize both harm to individuals involved and legal consequences for the defender.