Like self-defense, defense of other requires that you only use a reasonable amount of force to protect another person. This means that under certain circumstances, you may use force to protect another person. Washington Law states that the use of force is lawful whenever used to prevent an offense against another person. But more serious felonies can give rise to a claim of self-defense as well. Self-defense is commonly used as a defense to assault, malicious mischief, harassment or disorderly conduct. Washington law allows you to defend yourself if you reasonably believe you are about to be injured. You do not have to actually be attacked or injured in order to defend yourself. On the other hand, you cannot raise self-defense if you are not allowed to be in the place you are being attacked in the first place. This is otherwise called, the “Stand Your Ground Rule' in Washington. This means that if you are in your home, you do not have to try to escape the situation before defending yourself. The law does not impose a duty to retreat. A person may not use more force than is necessary given the situation. Washington Law allows a person to use reasonable force to defend themselves when they are being attacked or have a reasonable belief that they are about to be attacked. Whenever used by a party about to be injured, or by another lawfully aiding him or her, in preventing or attempting to prevent an offense against his or her person, or a malicious trespass, or other malicious interference with real or personal property lawfully in his or her possession, in case the force is not more than is necessary Use of “non-deadly force” is legally authorized when: No person in the state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting by any reasonable means necessary, himself or herself, his or her family, or his or her real or personal property, or for coming to the aid of another who is in imminent danger of or the victim of assault, robbery, kidnapping, arson, burglary, rape, murder, or any other violent crime as defined in RCW 9.94A.030. Washington's Self-Defense statute specifically states: The lawful use of force/self-defense most commonly arises under three situations: RCW 9A.16.020 outlines the circumstances under which a person can legally use force.

Washington law allows for the use of force under certain circumstances.

Defend your castle rules