Does Texas have a "stand your ground" law?
In other words, is a person being attacked required to run away or can they stand and fight back an attacker?
In other words, is a person being attacked required to run away or can they stand and fight back an attacker?
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Favorite Answer
As others stated (except one) Texas does have a stand your ground "law". Before this law you had to try to retreat before using deadly force. With the change you do not have to retreat as long as you have a legal right to be in that place, did not provoke the other person, and not committing criminal activity. Here is the part of the use of deadly force law:
Texas Penal Code
Sec. 9.32. DEADLY FORCE IN DEFENSE OF PERSON.
(c) A person who has a right to be present at the location where the deadly force is used, who has not provoked the person against whom the deadly force is used, and who is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the deadly force is used is not required to retreat before using deadly force as described by this section.
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm#9.32
I suggest everyone should read the use of force/deadly force laws:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm
lestermount
it is called the Castle Doctrine and means you have the right to defend yourself and have no obligation to attempt to escape first.
You do not have to attempt to run away from your attacker before defending yourself.
Athena
Yes.
Anonymous
Yes.
And rightfully so.
sirbobby98121
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=SB378#