Castle Doctrine in Maryland
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Maryland has no castle doctrine; duty to retreat applies even in your home if safe retreat is possible.
How Maryland treats Castle Doctrine
Maryland does not recognize castle doctrine and imposes a duty to retreat from your own home if you can do so safely. Maryland law requires you to attempt escape before using force, even in your dwelling. This makes Maryland one of the few states without a castle doctrine protection. The duty to retreat is a significant limitation on home-defense claims in Maryland.
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 Maryland.