Index
Pennsylvania Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground
Summary
In Pennsylvania, you generally have no duty to retreat before using deadly force to defend yourself against an attacker in your home, vehicle, or workplace, provided you have a legal right to be there.
Rights & Rules
- 01.You are presumed to have a reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary if someone unlawfully and forcefully enters your home or occupied vehicle.
- 02.You do not have a duty to retreat in places where you have a legal right to be, if you are attacked with a lethal weapon or something that could cause serious bodily injury.
- 03.You cannot use deadly force against a police officer who is acting in the performance of their official duties and has identified themselves.
Penalties
- 01.If you use deadly force without a reasonable belief of imminent death or serious bodily injury (or if you provoked the attack), you can be charged with criminal homicide.
Verified Citations
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18, Chapter 5
Source"An actor is presumed to have a reasonable belief that deadly force is immediately necessary to protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat if... the person against whom the force is used is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering..."