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Going out and starting fights is already a self-defense disqualificaiton in Californa.

To quote the current official California jury instructions and legal commentary:

"No Defense for Initial Aggressor: An aggressor whose victim fights back in self-defense may not invoke the doctrine of self-defense..."

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I read this as, the victim (.e. the initial defender) is free to escalate.

Of course - there is no requirement to retreat. Which makes sense.

If I’m in my home, or car, or whatever - and someone tries to do a home invasion, or carjack me, it’s utter lunacy to expect someone to be all ‘oh no’, and have to give it up unless they want to do so.

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