Self-Defense
In one sentence
The legal right to use reasonable force to protect yourself from harm.
Plain English
Self-defense is a legal justification for using force against someone who is attacking or about to attack you. The key word is 'reasonable'—the force you use must be proportional to the threat you face. Most states recognize a 'duty to retreat' in some situations, meaning you must try to escape if safely possible before using force. Some states have 'Stand Your Ground' laws that eliminate the duty to retreat and allow you to use force where you have a legal right to be.
Example
When a stranger grabbed her purse and tried to pull it away, Elena pushed him hard enough to break free and run to safety. Her use of force was considered reasonable self-defense because it matched the threat she faced.
Used in a sentence
“The defendant argued self-defense, claiming he only punched the man because he was being attacked first.”
How Self-Defense differs by state
Self-Defense can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
You can use force to defend yourself without a duty to retreat first.
Alaska
You may use reasonable or deadly force without retreating when facing imminent harm.
Arizona
You have a broad right to use force without retreating if you reasonably believe it's necessary.
Arkansas
You may use reasonable force without retreating when facing imminent danger.
California
You may use reasonable force to defend yourself, but must retreat if safely possible in public.
Colorado
Colorado allows self-defense with reasonable force anywhere you have a legal right to be, with no duty to retreat.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires you to retreat if safely possible before using force, except in your own home.
Delaware
Delaware permits self-defense with reasonable force but requires retreat when safely possible outside your home.
Florida
Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law lets you use force anywhere you have a legal right to be, with no duty to retreat.
Georgia
Georgia allows you to stand your ground and use force anywhere you are lawfully present, with no duty to retreat.
Hawaii
Hawaii allows self-defense only if you didn't provoke the attack and had no reasonable way to retreat.
Idaho
Idaho recognizes stand-your-ground rights and allows force without duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be.
Illinois
Illinois allows self-defense without duty to retreat in your home, vehicle, or workplace, but requires retreat in public spaces.
Indiana
Indiana permits stand-your-ground self-defense anywhere you have a legal right to be, with no duty to retreat.
Iowa
Iowa recognizes stand-your-ground rights and allows force without duty to retreat when you reasonably believe it's necessary.
Kansas
Kansas allows self-defense with no duty to retreat, even in your own home or workplace.
Kentucky
Kentucky permits self-defense without duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be.
Louisiana
Louisiana permits self-defense without duty to retreat, with special protections for your home and vehicle.
Maine
Maine allows self-defense without duty to retreat, with a presumption of reasonableness in your home.
Maryland
Maryland requires you to retreat if safely possible before using deadly force, except in your home.
Massachusetts
You must retreat to safety if you can do so safely before using force, except in your own home.
Michigan
You have no duty to retreat anywhere, including public spaces, if you reasonably believe force is necessary.
Minnesota
You may use force if you reasonably believe it prevents imminent harm, with no duty to retreat in your home.
Mississippi
You have no duty to retreat anywhere and may use force if you reasonably believe it prevents imminent harm.
Missouri
You have no duty to retreat and may use force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary.
Montana
Montana allows self-defense with no duty to retreat, even in your own home or anywhere you have a legal right to be.
Nebraska
Nebraska recognizes self-defense with no duty to retreat when you face imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.
Nevada
Nevada has a strong no-duty-to-retreat law and presumes you acted reasonably if you used force against an intruder in your home.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire permits self-defense with no duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be, including your home.
New Jersey
New Jersey requires you to retreat if safely possible before using force, except when attacked in your own home.
New Mexico
New Mexico allows self-defense with reasonable force but does not recognize a duty to retreat before using force.
New York
New York requires you to retreat if safely possible before using deadly force, except in your own home.
North Carolina
North Carolina allows self-defense with reasonable force and does not require retreat before using force anywhere.
North Dakota
North Dakota allows self-defense with reasonable force and does not require you to retreat before using force.
Ohio
Ohio allows self-defense with reasonable force and does not require retreat before using force in any location.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows self-defense with no duty to retreat, even in your own home or in public.
Oregon
Oregon allows self-defense without a duty to retreat, but only if you did not provoke the confrontation.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires you to retreat if you can do so safely before using deadly force, except in your home.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows self-defense with reasonable force but requires retreat if you can do so safely in public.
South Carolina
South Carolina allows self-defense without a duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be.
South Dakota
South Dakota allows self-defense with reasonable force without a duty to retreat, even in your own home.
Tennessee
Tennessee permits self-defense with no duty to retreat anywhere you have a legal right to be.
Texas
Texas permits self-defense with force proportional to the threat, with no duty to retreat anywhere you have a right to be.
Utah
Utah allows self-defense with reasonable force without a duty to retreat from your home or workplace.
Vermont
Vermont allows self-defense with reasonable force but generally requires you to retreat if you can do so safely.
Virginia
Virginia allows self-defense with reasonable force but requires you to retreat if safely possible before using deadly force.
Washington
Washington permits reasonable self-defense force without a duty to retreat, including in public spaces.
West Virginia
West Virginia recognizes self-defense with reasonable force and no duty to retreat in any lawful location.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin permits self-defense with reasonable force but imposes a duty to retreat if you can do so safely.
Wyoming
Wyoming recognizes self-defense with reasonable force and no duty to retreat in any lawful location.
District of Columbia
DC allows self-defense with reasonable force but imposes a duty to retreat when safely possible.
Related terms
Concealed Carry
The legal right to carry a hidden firearm in public, typically requiring a permit.
Open Carry
The legal right to carry a firearm openly and visibly in public.
criminal intent
The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.
battery
Intentional physical contact with another person without consent.
Homicide
The act of one person causing the death of another human being.
intent
The defendant's conscious purpose or knowledge that their actions would cause a particular result.
Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
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.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.