Castle Doctrine in New Hampshire
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
New Hampshire recognizes no duty to retreat in your home but imposes a duty to retreat elsewhere in public.
How New Hampshire treats Castle Doctrine
New Hampshire permits you to use force without retreating when defending yourself in your own home against an unlawful threat. However, New Hampshire maintains a duty to retreat in public places if you can do so safely, limiting Castle Doctrine protections primarily to the home itself. The state does not extend Castle Doctrine to vehicles or workplaces as broadly as some other states.
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 New Hampshire.