North Carolina Criminal Law UpdatesThe laws regarding self-defense can be intricate, requiring careful consideration of the use of force, the amount of force, 
and reasonableness.
A defendant determined to have been the aggressor in an affray or fight may regain the right of self-defense (right to use force, including deadly force) when placed in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
In that event, the legal inquiry would look into whether the aggressor had the reasonable opportunity to retreat.