09/26/2026
Self-defence isn’t simply about saying, “I was defending myself.”
Under Criminal Code s. 34, the court looks at the circumstances surrounding the incident — including whether there were reasonable grounds to believe force or a threat of force existed, whether the response was for a defensive purpose, and whether the response was reasonable in the circumstances.
That means what happened, why you acted, how you responded, and the surrounding context can all matter.
If you’re facing a self-defence issue, assault charge, or other criminal allegation in Ontario, understanding the legal test is important.
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