In-Law assault

[skosk77]

I need advice.
Last night my brother's inebriated estranged wife approached me outside of bar where I had gone to get my brother.
She began to attack me physically and I defended myself. Problem is, when she got home she contacted the police and is filing charges against me even though she hit at me first. Was I wrong to defend myself?
Also, I have no prior record for anything, (not even a speeding ticket) and she was jailed just 9 mos ago for domestic abuse against my brother while intoxicated. She is already on probation for that and is never supposed to be drinking. Will that help my case, that she was drunk while she attacked me?
What is going to happen to me?

[Mr. Knowitall]

All too often people confuse "defending myself" with "beating the crap out of somebody who hit me first." How, exactly, did you "defend yourself"?

[skosk77]

Whenever she hit me I hit her back. I didn't try to keep it going, I was trying to get her away. The problem was she would not stay off of me. Yes, I would say she has the majority of the injuries.

[cdwjava]

Hitting someone back when they hit you is not necessarily going to be self defense. It doesn't work that way. if she was in violation o fher probation when the assault occurred, that is a seperate issue and her history may play to your advantage ... witnesses would be better, however.

Consult local counsel before court.

- Carl