This discussion reminds me of a conversation I had with someone who is trained in marshal arts.
He told me that it is possible in a court of law if even in self defence, the person who he beats up, can win in a court of law. He told me of one case, where a person was attacked and when that person beat up the attacker, the judge fined the one that was attacked, because they could have chosen to run away, rather than fight.

Tom