Texas Castle Doctrine and Use of Force
Establishes a presumption that force is reasonable when defending one's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business.
Self-Defense
Laws filed under this category in plain English.
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California Justifiable Homicide Law
Defines homicide as justifiable when committed in defense of self or others against a person intending to commit a felony or cause great injury.
Ohio Burden of Proof in Self-Defense
Shifts the burden to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person did not act in self-defense.
Michigan Self-Defense Act
Provides that an individual who is not engaged in a crime may use deadly force anywhere they have a legal right to be, with no duty to retreat.
Deadly Force in Defense of Person
Texas law recognizes the 'Castle Doctrine,' meaning there is no duty to retreat before using deadly force if you are in your home, vehicle, or place of business.
Florida Stand Your Ground
A person has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
Self-Defense and No Duty to Retreat
California does not have a 'Stand Your Ground' statute, but state jury instructions and case law establish that a person has no duty to retreat if they are resisting a forcible and atrocious crime.
Protection of Property at Nighttime
Unique to Texas, deadly force may be justified to prevent the imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, or theft during the nighttime, or to prevent a suspect from fleeing with property.