Castle Doctrine in Arkansas
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Arkansas recognizes Castle Doctrine in your home with no duty to retreat against intruders.
How Arkansas treats Castle Doctrine
Arkansas law allows you to use force, including deadly force, to defend yourself in your home without any duty to retreat. You may use force against anyone who unlawfully enters or attempts to enter your dwelling. The law creates a presumption that you reasonably feared death or serious bodily harm when an intruder forcibly enters your home.
The general definition of Castle Doctrine
A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.
The castle doctrine is a legal principle that treats a person's home as a safe place where they have the right to defend themselves and their family with force, including deadly force, without any duty to retreat. The doctrine applies specifically to your own home and sometimes extends to your vehicle or workplace. It's based on the idea that your home is your private sanctuary where you should feel secure. The castle doctrine is narrower than stand your ground laws because it applies only to your own property, not public spaces.
Read the full Castle Doctrine 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 Arkansas.