Castle Doctrine in California
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
California recognizes Castle Doctrine in your home but with narrower scope than some states; duty to retreat may apply elsewhere.
How California treats Castle Doctrine
California permits you to use force in your home to defend against an intruder without duty to retreat. However, California's self-defense law is more restrictive than pure Castle Doctrine states—you may have a duty to retreat in public spaces if you can do so safely. The law allows reasonable force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe an intruder poses a threat of death or serious bodily harm.
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 California.