Today, most states make it criminal to use ________ force in an attempt to protect property rather than life.

Answer 1

Hi Trinity!

In most jurisdictions, it is criminal to use deadly force in an attempt to protect property.

All states will allow you to use deadly force to defend yourself against serious threats, such as serious bodily injuries, death, rape, and kidnapping. However, the same does not apply to property. If someone trespasses on your property, for example, in most states you may not respond with deadly force.

There is one small caveat. In almost all states, you can use non-deadly force to defend your property. However, if the person violating your space/property responds to you with the threat of death or great bodily harm, you may respond back with deadly force. In essence, this allows you to use deadly force to defend property.

I would recommend reading this link: https://reason.com/2020/06/02/are-people-allowed-to-use-deadly-force-to-defend-property/.

I hope this is helpful to you!

Best,

Maddy