Depends on where you draw the line, you could just use your fist and do the same thing, is that evil?
I play LG characters a lot, I find the best thing to do is provoke a violent action from your adversary if you have too, but don't just throw attacks at everything.
You could talk to the person, and continue to bug them until you get what you want.
Se if you can reason with them, or perhaps barter for info.
If he tries to leave, block his path, etc, don't let him escape but don't pull a weapon at the start ether.
But it's all depends on the situation.
If I had to get the info fast, and I knew he was evil and had the info and not getting to info would cause terrible suffering to others, I may do more then just draw a weapon, I might go strait up to him and cut his leg off, to show I'm serious and that his not going to get away.