{"id":10871,"date":"2014-06-18T16:57:27","date_gmt":"2014-06-18T23:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?page_id=10871"},"modified":"2022-07-07T15:12:48","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T22:12:48","slug":"arizona-self-defense-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/arizona-self-defense-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Self-Defense Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"
It is not uncommon for people to get into physical fights. However, there are millions of Americans who are victims of\u00a0violent crimes\u00a0every year.\u00a0 While Arizona law does allow individuals to protect themselves with physical force, it is important for people to be aware of the legal limits on self-defense.
\nUnfortunately, there are too many times when someone must defend themselves against someone else committing a crime. Self-defense cases come up in all types of situations, from home break-ins to fights between neighbors.<\/p>\n
Arizona has clearly defined self-defense laws (also known as “stand your ground” laws) that are meant to protect those in danger, while giving them the legal opportunity to defend themselves from harm. When police in Arizona believe someone was acting out of self-defense, they may not charge that person with whatever crime was committed under the circumstances.<\/p>\n
Know When to Stop.Although it differs from state to state, generally, people are permitted to use reasonable physical force to protect themselves from immediate danger.\u00a0 It is okay for you to fight back if someone is physically hitting you.\u00a0 However, if they stop fighting, you cannot continue hitting them; this would be considered an unreasonable use of force.<\/p>\n
Criminal Charges.\u00a0 If you use self-defense when it is not justified by law, you could have criminal charges filed against you, even if you didn\u2019t start the fight.<\/p>\n
Civil Liability.If you use unreasonable force in defending yourself, or if you weren\u2019t justified in using force at all, the other person may file a civil lawsuit against you and you may be forced to pay them restitution.<\/p>\n
Castle Laws.\u00a0 These laws can greatly differ from each state, and some states do not have them.\u00a0 These laws allow you to use deadly force if you are in your own home and an intruder threatens to injure or kill you.\u00a0 You are using this force to \u201cprotect your castle.\u201d While Arizona does not have a \u201ccastle law,\u201d there are statutes in place which permit an individual to use physical force if an intruder is in their home.<\/p>\n
Deadly Force.\u00a0 You are not permitted to use deadly force unless you\u2019re in reasonable fear of immediate serious physical injury or death.\u00a0 If you can get out of the situation safely, you should.\u00a0 Deadly force should only be used as the last resort.<\/p>\n
Defense of Others.\u00a0 Just like when you protect yourself, you can protect someone else if you have a reasonable fear that the other person is in instant danger.<\/p>\n
Self-defense laws outline when a person is free to use physical or deadly force against another person. In Arizona, A.R.S. 13-404<\/a> explains the justification of self-defense, stating that force may be used if that person believes:<\/p>\n