Self Defense in your Home

Generally, if you are in public and you face a physical threat, you have what’s called a “duty to retreat.”  Rather than face the threat, you are required by law to do your best to escape from the threat by leaving, running away, or getting help from a peace officer. Only when the use of force is your only alternative or means of escape, will self-defense be found legitimate.

However, if you are in your own home, you do not have a duty to retreat if an intruder enters your home and threatens you or your family.  This is what’s commonly called the castle doctrine.