Hey everyone, I’ve been thinking a lot about self-defense lately. Is it legal to protect yourself if someone is breaking into your home? I live in New Hampshire and I used to have a security system before it was stolen during a break-in. I’ve been through some really bad experiences, including getting attacked during that break-in. I’m just wondering what my rights are in this situation, you know? Anyone have any info on this?
Hey, I feel you. That sounds terrifying. So, in New Hampshire, the law actually allows you to defend yourself if someone’s breaking into your home. It’s called the ‘Castle Doctrine.’ You can use deadly force if you believe the person will harm you or others. This is especially true if they’re committing a crime on your property.
@Sloan
Wait, so does this mean you can just shoot someone if they’re breaking in? Like, no questions asked?
Chen said:
@Sloan
Wait, so does this mean you can just shoot someone if they’re breaking in? Like, no questions asked?
Not exactly, lol. You need to reasonably believe that they’re going to use force against you or someone else. It’s not just a free pass to shoot anyone who steps on your lawn. It’s more about protecting yourself from immediate harm.
I had no idea NH had such strong self-defense laws. But do these laws change if the intruder’s just trying to steal stuff and isn’t actively attacking you?
Xan said:
I had no idea NH had such strong self-defense laws. But do these laws change if the intruder’s just trying to steal stuff and isn’t actively attacking you?
Yeah, that’s a good question. If they’re just stealing but you think they could still use force, the law still allows for protection. But if they’re just running away or not a threat anymore, you might not be justified in using deadly force.
Wow, this is really helpful. So it’s not just about defending yourself in your house but also outside if they’re committing a felony nearby?
Hadi said:
Wow, this is really helpful. So it’s not just about defending yourself in your house but also outside if they’re committing a felony nearby?
Exactly! Even if they’re not in your house, but on your property, you’re protected if you think they’re going to harm you. The law gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to defending yourself.
This is great info! But what if the intruder is doing something like kidnapping or assaulting someone? Does that change things?
River said:
This is great info! But what if the intruder is doing something like kidnapping or assaulting someone? Does that change things?
Yep, that’s a big deal. If they’re involved in something like kidnapping or a sexual assault, you can definitely use deadly force to stop them. The law is very clear when it comes to stopping those types of crimes.
I had no idea New Hampshire’s laws were so strong in terms of self-defense! Thanks for sharing this. Definitely gonna keep this in mind if anything ever happens.