Stand Your Ground in Oregon
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Oregon has no general stand your ground law; you must retreat if safely possible before using deadly force outside your home.
How Oregon treats Stand Your Ground
Oregon requires you to retreat from a threat if you can do so safely, except within your own home where you have no duty to retreat. This duty to retreat applies in public spaces and other locations outside your residence. Oregon law allows use of force in self-defense, but the absence of a stand your ground statute means courts consider whether retreat was feasible when evaluating whether force was necessary. Your home receives special protection under the castle doctrine, where you may defend yourself without retreating.
The general definition of Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Stand your ground laws permit a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves against a threat without first trying to escape or avoid the danger. These laws eliminate the traditional legal duty to retreat before using force. They apply in places where a person has a legal right to be, such as their home, workplace, or public spaces. Stand your ground laws are controversial because they expand when people can legally use deadly force, and they vary significantly by state.
Read the full Stand Your Ground 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 Oregon.