Index
California Judicial Council Instruction 3470
Summary
In California, case law and jury instructions establish that a person threatened with an attack does not need to retreat and may pursue the assailant until the danger has passed.
Rights & Rules
- 01.You have the right to stand your ground even if safety could have been achieved by retreating.
- 02.You may use the amount of force that a reasonable person would believe is necessary in the same situation.
- 03.You can pursue an attacker until the danger of death or bodily injury has passed.
Penalties
- 01.Possible conviction for 'Imperfect Self-Defense' (voluntary manslaughter) if the belief in danger was honest but unreasonable.
- 02.Charges of battery or assault if the force used exceeds what was necessary.
Verified Citations
""