What is the legal concept of "self-defense"?

The legal concept of "self-defense" is fundamentally about justifying the use of force to protect oneself when faced with an imminent threat of harm. This justification is based on the idea that individuals have the right to safeguard their own safety when they reasonably believe that they are in danger. The key aspects involve the immediacy of the threat and the proportionality of the response. Essentially, if a person sincerely perceives that they are about to be harmed, they may utilize reasonable force to prevent that harm, which the law recognizes as a valid defense in many circumstances.

Other choices do not accurately capture the essence of self-defense. The notion of asserting innocence pertains more to a defendant's overall argument or defense strategy rather than specifically addressing the right to defend oneself from an immediate threat. A plea deal involves negotiations between the defendant and prosecution and does not relate to self-defense. Lastly, while there may be laws referring to conduct during protests that aim to prevent harm or violence, these do not define the act of self-defense itself.