castle doctrine

American  

[kas-uhl dahk-trin, kah-suhl dahk-trin] / ˈkæs əl ˈdɑk trɪn, ˈkɑ səl ˈdɑk trɪn /

noun

1. a legal principle that protects a person who acts in self-defense against an intruder in their home.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

castle doctrine

Lauren Krasnoff, president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Miami chapter, said Fortson’s race cannot be disentangled from discussion of the case when invoking the castle doctrine and Stand Your Ground.

From Seattle Times ● May 15, 2024

Now, there was something early on called the castle doctrine, which was the idea that if you were in your house, you did not have the duty to retreat.

From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2023

S. David Mitchell, a law professor at the University of Missouri, said that a defense lawyer could try to invoke the castle doctrine, though it usually applies only when an intruder has entered the home.

From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2023

But its state law also introduces the castle doctrine in certain circumstances.

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2023

Missouri also has a law called the "castle doctrine," which allows a person to use deadly force to protect their home from an intrusion.

From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2023