[Livia]

Originally Posted by Snowball

You know, that's an interesting thought..... if somone 'snapped' - would it be regarded as being provoked to such a degree, that they would escape being charged? I doubt it, but it's an interesting point all the same.

Legally, you cannot lay your hands on someone however much you are provoked. The only way you can hit (or otherwise physically "attack") someone is if you are defending yourself, but basically you cannot hit someone because they provoke you. There are certain circumstances where a lesser charge may be handed out because you were provoked, but the bottom line is, if you throw the first punch, your defence will have to prove that the verbal attack was so severe that you temporarily lost your mind. It's a toughie... and let's face it, if anyone deserved a smack in the mouth, it's that woman.