Castle Doctrine in Nebraska
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Nebraska recognizes no duty to retreat in your home and allows reasonable force against unlawful intruders.
How Nebraska treats Castle Doctrine
Nebraska law permits you to use force, including deadly force, to defend yourself, your family, and your property in your home without retreating. You have no duty to retreat if an intruder unlawfully and forcibly enters your dwelling. The law presumes your use of force was reasonable and necessary if you were defending against someone committing or attempting to commit a felony in 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 Nebraska.