Stand Your Ground in Arizona
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Arizona allows force without retreat duty anywhere you have a legal right to be, with broad self-defense protections.
How Arizona treats Stand Your Ground
Arizona law permits use of force, including deadly force, without a duty to retreat if you reasonably believe it necessary to prevent death, serious bodily injury, or certain felonies. This right applies anywhere you have a legal right to be present. Arizona also provides civil and criminal immunity for justified use of force, protecting you from lawsuits and prosecution. The law presumes you acted reasonably if you were in a place you had a right to be.
The general definition of Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Stand your ground laws permit a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves against a threat without first trying to escape or avoid the danger. These laws eliminate the traditional legal duty to retreat before using force. They apply in places where a person has a legal right to be, such as their home, workplace, or public spaces. Stand your ground laws are controversial because they expand when people can legally use deadly force, and they vary significantly by state.
Read the full Stand Your Ground entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.