Basically, you need to prove to the Commonwealth that you did everything in your power to avoid the extra use of force needed to stop the situation. If they stop fighting, you have to stop fighting, but if they still stick around, you just have to wait until the police arrive, if you called the police.
In Massachusetts, if you were brave enough, you could just knock on people's door, walk in unarmed, walk around a bit and find something under $250 to steal, and walk out while filming the incident. If you get beat up or shot, you can sue the person you robbed and make a lot of money. Meanwhile, you would get charged with a misdemeanor since the item was valued under $250, and would serve no jail time.
no subject
http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/jury-instructions/criminal/pdf/9260-defenses-self-defense.pdf
http://www.golocalworcester.com/news/leonardo-angiulo-zimmermans-self-defense-and-massachusetts-law/
Basically, you need to prove to the Commonwealth that you did everything in your power to avoid the extra use of force needed to stop the situation. If they stop fighting, you have to stop fighting, but if they still stick around, you just have to wait until the police arrive, if you called the police.
In Massachusetts, if you were brave enough, you could just knock on people's door, walk in unarmed, walk around a bit and find something under $250 to steal, and walk out while filming the incident. If you get beat up or shot, you can sue the person you robbed and make a lot of money. Meanwhile, you would get charged with a misdemeanor since the item was valued under $250, and would serve no jail time.
Crime pays in Massachusetts if you're smart.