The Castle Doctrine

The Castle Doctrine is a legal principle that allows individuals to use reasonable force, including potentially deadly force, to protect themselves and their home from intruders. It recognizes a person’s right to defend their residence without the duty to retreat when faced with an intruder. Essentially, if someone unlawfully enters or threatens your home, you are justified in defending yourself without fear of being held legally liable, under specific state laws. The doctrine aims to honor the right to safety within your own property while emphasizing that force must be proportionate to the threat.