In a stand-your-ground state, a person is legally justified in using deadly force in self-defense without any duty to retreat. This means that a person can use deadly force to defend themselves or another person against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm without having to first try to escape or retreat.
Arizona is a stand-your-ground state. This means that a person in Arizona is legally justified in using deadly force in self-defense without any duty to retreat if they reasonably believe that they or another person is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.
The stand-your-ground law in Arizona is codified in Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) section 13-411. This statute states that a person is justified in using deadly physical force against another person if the person reasonably believes that the other person:
- Is attempting or about to commit a violent felony
- Is using or attempting to use deadly force against the person or another person
- Has entered or is attempting to enter the person’s home without permission
- Is attempting to commit theft or aggravated robbery
- Is attempting to commit arson or burglary
- Is attempting to commit criminal damage to the person’s property
- Is attempting to commit kidnapping or sexual assault
The stand-your-ground law in Arizona also applies to a person who is in a public place and is being attacked by another person. The person is justified in using deadly force to defend themselves against the attack even if they could have retreated safely.
The stand-your-ground law in Arizona is a controversial law. Some people believe that the law makes it too easy for people to use deadly force in self-defense. Others believe that the law is necessary to protect people from criminals.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases in Arizona where people have been charged with murder after using deadly force in self-defense. These cases have raised questions about the scope of the stand-your-ground law and whether it is being applied fairly.