When is shooting someone legal

The U. No one wants to be in this situation, but you need to be prepared if you are. As a Kentucky resident, you should be aware of the laws in your state and how they relate to your right to defend yourself and your property. There are two different types of general self-defense laws — one that applies when you are on your own property and one that applies when you are attacked somewhere else.

Kentucky has both laws in effect. The Castle Doctrine has its roots in old English Common Law, a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents that were established by the courts. According to the doctrine, your home is your castle, and you have the right to defend it from intruders.

Most states have a variation of the Castle Doctrine in their self-defense laws. The differences between state laws involve whether there is a duty to retreat or if deadly force was necessary. For example, some states rely on the courts to determine if the intruder intended to inflict serious bodily injury. Under changes made to Kentucky law in , a resident can almost always assume that the person breaking into their home means to cause harm. This section discusses some circumstances under which a person may use deadly force to defend themselves or others.

Texas Penal Code, Chapter 9, Subchapter D Statutes in this subchapter, "Protection of Property" are sometimes referred to as the "castle doctrine" laws. This section discusses the use of deadly force for the protection of property. The Castle Doctrine: Understanding Self Defense in Texas This private attorney's website provides an overview of Texas's self-defense laws as they relate to the use of "deadly force.

What if I defend myself against a police officer who is trying to unlawfully arrest me? What if I thought at the time I had to defend myself, but I was wrong? For example, if I shot someone who I thought had a knife, but he didn't? What if the person I used deadly force on has a violent reputation? What if I'm a lot smaller than the person that was threatening me?

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