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If I found myself in a solid position to defend the innocent and defenseless from harm, I would not hesitate.
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Well, if you know the person, and know everything about what has put that person in that position, more power to you.
But things are not always what they seem. The apparent "victim" may not be innocent, and that would impact a defense of justification. In some jurisdictions, a factual basis for a reasonable belief may suffice, but in others, the third party must in fact be innocent.
Perhaps the bigger risk is that of the victim, even bloodied and helpless, coming forth afterward to testify that the rescuer had been the aggressor. That is not at all uncommon.