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Defense of PropertyA person may repel force with force in defense of property or home against an intruder. You are generally allowed to use minimal force to remove a trespasser from your property whom you have asked to leave and refuses. You have the right to use non-lethal force in defense of your home when you believe that it is necessary to prevent or terminate someone’s unlawful entry or attack on your home. You may also use such force to prevent entry into your home by someone who intends to commit a felony therein. Self defense is permitted in this situation due to the “Castle Doctrine.” In most self defense situations you are required to ”retreat to the wall" if possible to avoid a violent situation, but not if doing so would put you in further danger. This law does not apply to your own home. If an intruder breaks in your front door you are not required to run out the back. It may be the safe thing to do, but you are not legally required to do so. Lethal force may not be used to defend an uninhabited property. What about you other possessions? According to the law life is more important than property, even the life of a thief. You can’t kill someone for stealing your car or wandering across your property line. Non-lethal force may be used in defending your property from imminent, unlawful interference. Force may be used to regain wrongfully taken property, if you use such force in immediate pursuit. As soon as you have regained the property the force must end- unless the thief attacks you. Click here to return to Self Defense Laws from Defense of Property.
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