Imagine an adult brown belt asking you this question during class: “I live in a gated community. Sometimes, I see two teenage kids walking down the street at night. They’re wearing hoodies and clearly don’t belong here. I think they’re casing cars. I don’t want to call the cops and get accused of profiling. What should I do?”

Here’s a breakdown of the options:

  1. Avoid Confrontation: Why? Confronting the kids or trying to scare them off opens a legal can of worms. Risks: If they attack in response, the situation can become legally complex and costly. Legal Consequences: Your student could face serious legal issues, especially if the minors are injured. The odds are stacked against them in court, especially without witnesses to support their side.
  2. Call 911: Why? This is the safest option legally. How it Helps: Law enforcement can handle the situation professionally. Your student avoids confrontation and the associated legal risks.

Legal Implications: Minors Involved: Assaulting a minor can lead to severe legal consequences. Witness Issues: It’s often one person’s word against two. Without corroborating evidence, proving self-defense can be challenging and expensive. 

Legal Fees: Defending against accusations can result in significant legal fees and prolonged stress. Understanding Self-Defense Law: To be a true self-defense expert, you must understand the self-defense laws in your state.

Recommended System: Law enforcement-based Self-Defense is the official self-defense system of the Martial Arts Teachers' Association. It’s based on law enforcement principles, not just techniques.

Action Steps: Learn the Law: Read and re-read “The Law of Self-Defense” to better understand your legal responsibilities and rights.

Training: Consider additional training with systems like law enforcement-based Self-Defense to stay informed and prepared.