Lesson 16: Don’t return to the fight.

If you manage to escape a confrontation, don’t go back. Returning to the fight—especially if you’ve armed yourself during the interval—can destroy your self-defense claim. A jury will find it hard to believe you reasonably feared the alleged attacker, and prosecutors may argue that, by willingly re-engaging, you became the aggressor the second time around. Walking away shows fear and restraint. Going back shows intent to engage.