When someone is being attacked will you get in trouble if you help them? 6 Answers as of February 22, 2012

If you are helping the person that is getting beat up then you have a defense of defense of self or others if you get charged with anything.

Self defense, including self defense of an innocent person is justified under the law in the defense called Justification. Even deadly physical force is justified if the circumstances legally provide for it.

It's up to the local prosecutor to choose whether to prosecute or not.

If you see a fight you should run the other way as fast as possible and call the police. Otherwise you can be arrested for Gang Assault, a serious violent felony offense that could get you 20 years in prison. I know you want to help or do what you see on TV, but in the real world you could get shot, stabbed, or seriously injured. You could seriously injure or kill another person and be charged with murder or manslaughter. You should never get involved in a fight no matter who is involved. Get a bouncer, security guard, employee, or the police to try to break up the fight.

If someone is being attacked and a crime is being committed on them you can come to their aid but only to extricate them not to independently use violence against a third party

No. You may use reasonable force to defend yourself or others