Self-defense in Mississippi allows a person to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm, provided the response is proportionate to the threat. The law considers whether the defendant reasonably believed they were in danger and whether the force used was necessary to prevent harm. Evidence such as witness statements, the presence of injuries, and any available video can support a self-defense claim. Establishing self-defense often requires a careful factual reconstruction of events to show that the defendant had a legitimate basis for acting as they did. Proving self-defense may also involve demonstrating that the defendant attempted to avoid the confrontation when possible or retreated if required by law in specific contexts. Presentation of medical records, timeline evidence, and corroborating witness testimony strengthens such a claim. A thoughtful strategy for asserting self-defense can lead to case dismissal or acquittal when the facts support that the defendant acted to protect themselves from imminent danger.