Originally Posted By: haertig
I think the only way I'd use pepper spray is if I could identify an upcoming attack plenty in advance...Of course this unfolding of events would have ME being the assailant, not the bad guy.

IANAL but the general concept of self-defense does allow you to "strike" first if you think serious harm to you or someone else is imminent, so you aren't necessarily in the legal wrong. Especially if you then escape and report it promptly, there's little to indicate to the police or DA that you intended to assault the other guy, if the other person claims that.

Alas, real life is rarely so neat and tidy.