At what point does it stop being self-defense?

Where Self-Defense Ends and Retaliation Begins

Self-defense is a fundamental right that allows individuals to protect themselves when facing an imminent threat of violence. However, the legal protection granted to a victim is strictly tied to the presence of active danger. The moment an aggressor stops their assault and clearly indicates that the threat has passed, the legal dynamic shifts completely.

Once the immediate risk of harm is gone, any subsequent force used against the former assailant is no longer recognized as self-defense. Instead, actions taken after the danger subsides are legally classified as retaliation. To remain lawful, defensive force must always be strictly necessary and proportional to neutralize an ongoing threat—never to punish an attacker after the conflict has ended.