What is the legal test for a parent to be liable for battery under the doctrine of self-defense?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Y.R. (In re Y.R.), F073189 (Cal. App. 2016):
Self-defense is the only legal justification for battery. (People v. Mayes (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 195, 198.) To establish self-defense as a justification for battery, " 'the defendant must have an honest and reasonable belief that bodily injury is about to be inflicted on him. [Citation.]' [Citation.] The threat of bodily injury must be imminent [citation], and '... any right of self-defense is limited to the use of such force as is reasonable under the circumstances.' " (People v. Minifie (1996) 13 Cal.4th 1055, 1064-1065.)
"[However,] [a] parent has a right to reasonably discipline by punishing a child and may administer reasonable punishment without being liable for a battery. [Citations.] This includes the right to inflict reasonable corporal punishment." (People v. Whitehurst
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