Domestic, can i be charged with a felony for self defense against my wife?

Mr. Gilman, You can be charged, if she reports the matter to the police, and if the County Attorney decides to file charges.  Being charged does not mean that you will be convicted however.  The charge, or complaint, is just the first step in a long process.  Of course, in Minnesota, self defense is a complete defense.  You have the right to use reasonable force to prevent injury to yourself, which would surely have happened if you lost control of your car.  Even though most people agree that one should never hit a woman, the law allows self defense under the circumstances you describe.  The law is gender neutral. The only difficulty in this situation is that self defense is a fact intensive defense.  This usually means that the case will go to trial, or be litigated right up to the verge of trial.  You will need to hire experienced trial counsel to help prepare and present your defense.  I have had several domestic assault cases which were dismissed on the eve of trial when the prosecutor became convinced that we were prepared to fight the case, and when we provided evidence documenting the history of the relationship between the client and alleged victim. Do not discuss the case with anyone other than counsel, and try to avoid making it part of the divorce proceeding.  Best of Luck.