2007-06-16 14:43:43 · 20 answers · asked by Kyra 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Try calling the police. That way you don't go to jail.
2007-06-16 14:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
The State of Colorado has a "Make My Day" law that basically states that if someone trespasses onto your property or into your home and you feel that your life is in danger, you have a right to defend yourself. Some people actually walk around in their homes with guns on them. It's not a good idea to try to victimize someone in their own home in the State of Colorado. . . . unless you have a death wish. Like someone previously answered, the laws differ from state to state so you need to check with your local police department or sheriff's office.
2007-06-16 22:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish it were that easy. It really depends on where you live. Some States if you so much as yell at someone you go to jail. Others you can blast them to bits and too bad for the bad guy. Farmers and ranchers are generally allowed more leniency as far as shooting trespassers. However, if you are in your home and someone in your home is threatening you and other innocent person's with physical harm, grab the 12 gage. No law in the world should keep someone from defending him or herself from a predator.
2007-06-16 22:08:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are in fear of your life, then yes. If they are only stealing your stuff then no. Self defense can only be used when you or someone else is in mortal danger. If the intruder has a gun or weapon or is substantially larger than you, then you could make a case that you feared for your life. If the person is only 90 pounds, and you are 150 pounds, then you can't shoot them.
A person trespassing on your property in and of itself is not reasonable justification for using self defense. They would have to do/have something to make you feat for your life.
2007-06-16 22:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by greencoke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to defend yourself in most states and in some to defend another as well but you better be able to state your case for instance your neighbor sees your door is open and you don't answer so they walk in to tell you your sprinkler system is on and malfunctioning you don't know your knew neighbors yet so you assume they are burglars and you shoot them . After they die either you are prosecuted for murder / manslaughter or sued by the victims relatives for the rest of your life or both . Let them have what they want and contact the authorities as soon as possible unless you more about the law than you let on if you are not in jeopardy and there is a real threat that can be carried out you could make it even worse on yourself.
2007-06-16 21:54:59 · answer #5 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As always that depends on the state you live in. In my state you can shoot first and ask later, I live in Mississippi. They past a law, weirdly enough called "The Frank Castle Law", stating that if anyone is breaking into you property, which includes you home, car, or business, you can shoot first and it will be seen as self defense but they have to be entering your property not just on it. My advise would be to check your local laws and make sure it is ok to shoot first in self defense and not go to jail for murder.
2007-06-17 05:46:17 · answer #6 · answered by Zeo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The only time you'd be justified in killing someone would be in self-defense if you or your family were threatened with a weapon. However, you do not have to put up with trespassers. If someone is on your property univited, you have a right to demand why they are there, and to ask them to leave. If they are not there for a legitimate reason and refuse to leave if you ask them to, then you have a right to call the police and let them take care of it. If someone breaks into your home, you can order them to leave at gunpoint. If you're not alone, have someone call 911. But only if they threaten you, do you have the right to kill in self defense.
2007-06-16 22:07:54 · answer #7 · answered by gldjns 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simple trespass - generally not.
If they threaten you, it's up to the state laws. Sometimes you have to give them a warning. In some states you have no duty to retreat. In some states, you would have to prove you in fear of your life - it varies widely.
Check www.packing.org for general info on CCW - it's also got info on the castle doctrine.
Calif Deputy
2007-06-16 23:14:12 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of this depends on where you live and the laws of that state. But, in all cases the best answer is always this.... If you can articulate that you feel in fear for your or someone else's life, than you can use deadly force to defend yourself.
You can NOT use deadly force to defend property... so, remember.. you were afraid that you were going to die... and you are always covered everywhere in this United States.
2007-06-17 00:03:49 · answer #9 · answered by Dog Lover 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First you'd need to know your state law. There's the Castle Doctrine, as well as the Duty to Retreat Law. If you live in a liberal area, such as the New England, more than likely you are obligated to retreat as much as possible before you can fire, and even then there are qualms. This website should help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Doctrine
2007-06-16 21:52:58 · answer #10 · answered by joshua j 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is one universal code on deadly force. This code will work in most places including other countries. here it is: "If its worth dying for, its worth killing for."
An example is if you see a guy stealing your car, would you be willing to die to get that car back? No, then it's most likely not worth deadly force.
Another example is if you know a adversary is going to kill you or your child, well deadly force would be justified.
In all of the U.S. you have the right to defend yourself against deadly threat or threat of great bodily injury.
2007-06-17 06:12:19 · answer #11 · answered by r_77_p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋