If someone steals your wallet or purse, are you legally allowed to?

fight the thief back for it? She or he is in plain daylight and s/he's running away (stereotypical yet common in the world) with your wallet or purse. Are you allowed to, I don't know, chase him and get it back by force? That's not self-defense, is it? Can the thief prosecute you for battery or assault even though he was stealing your wallet or purse?

Lol, this is sort of a silly question to ask but I would be frustrated if someone tried to rob me while I was walking around town and I was legally not allowed to chase after her/him and use force (not kill) to get my possession(s) back. If I had to actually call the police and wait for them to find the thief, in plain daylight, instead of running after her/him.
Additional Details
Yes, :) thank you for all of the answers so far.

I do plan to chase her/him down and fight back for my purse with my high heels or stilettos. >:) It might contain contents that I would use for self-defense (pepper spray, hand gun)

I know it's just a purse but I'd like to avoid identity theft and robbery as much as I can. More so the identity theft because I know how frustrating it can be when your identity is stolen.

Libertarian and proud of it

Yes, you can attack them for your purse. You just need to use only as much force is necessary. So you could tackle them and then grab your purse. You could hit them until they give it back. But if you get your purse, and then start kicking them on the ground, you could be prosecuted. Though no jury is going to find a woman guilty after she beat up a mugger.

crazydave

Yes, you can fight back. Self-defense includes defending yourself and your property.

But you never know if the perpetrator is carrying any weapons or not, so fighting back may be risky. A few material possessions may not be worth risking your life.

Prince of Pennsylvania Avenue

in general you have the absolute right to defend your life (and personal property)
however, Jen....to be perfectly frank, you would should check your local state laws
...and my suggestion is to ask a local sherrif as to this specific guery....the real issue you might face is when defense becomes moot
...in Texas, for example, if you strike quickly in defense and the perpetrator happens to become permanently handicapped, the perp has little successful recourse....albeit, if your response is a sustained attack that is not required to protect your life, then perp likely can snag you (SNAFU)...so the situation is sticky
...presidence has been established though in the case of carjacking that a perp can be shot point blank from within your own vehicle, if your life is threatened, (or if you feel that your life is threatened)
...in short, the legal process might become more expensive than one would expect, proving one's clear and rightful action in self defense
...but if you are attacked and your initial reaction happens to SNAFU the perp...that one quick reflex should be legal no matter where you are

(i do not suggest chasing someone and shooting him in the back, that'd be manslaughter at least, butt whipping his arsse and taking your purse back would not)

Marine5

If you are Attacked in the Streets...
You are allowed to KILL your Assailant...

It is called the "Right of Self Defense"...

annrice

Recently they stole my wallet. It was my 8th period class right away i noticed my book bags front pocket was open from were they had taken my wallet. The police officer came as well as the ap but they didn't find it and then bell rung . Few minutes later they found it in the boys bathroom with the money stolen. Two of the boys from my back table went out of the classroom. One of them had to do it. But their not doing anything about it. What should i do?

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