Under what circumstances can I use deadly force to defend my property? Ohio law does not allow the use of deadly force to defend property under any circumstances. One can use basic force to defend one’s possessions, but not deadly force.
Now, I am speaking in the context of basic thefts here. For instance, someone stealing your bike from the bike rack. You cannot pull out your firearm and use deadly force to stop the taking of your possessions absent some other serious threat to your person that might arise.
Robbery and aggravated robbery situations are a different story. Whereas theft is categorized as the taking or depriving another of their property without consent, robbery and aggravated robbery require the added element of some use or threatened use of force during the commission of the theft. In these situations and more likely in the aggravated robbery context, deadly force might be justified as long as no duty to retreat is violated.
What about a person’s home or car? Well, now we are talking about Castle Doctrine scenarios where you no longer have a duty to retreat and are presumed to have acted reasonably in using deadly force in these locations. If someone has broken into your home or otherwise entered your home without authorization, you may use deadly force against them. Now remember, this is not a “get out of jail free” card in all situations. The presumption can be overcome, and you can still be held to be criminally liable. For example, you can’t shoot the person running out the door, as there is no longer any perceived threat, and you are essentially using deadly force against the guy who is stealing your TV.
With vehicles, if you are in your vehicle or the vehicle of an immediate family member and someone enters the vehicle without your permission, you may defend yourself by any means necessary including deadly force, without a duty to retreat. In both the home and the car scenarios, you are not having to rely on the old affirmative defense of self-defense and are presumed to have acted reasonably.
Let’s quickly distinguish burglars in your home with simple trespassers to your property, as this is an important distinction. Now, you are absolutely allowed to defend your property, with basic force. It is your right to keep off your land, out of your yard, out of your garage, etc. those you have not invited, so exercise your First Amendment right to say to them whatever you want. But remember, those threats of deadly force to keep trespassers off your property are generally not backed up by Ohio self-defense law, and you will likely find yourself in very serious trouble if you use deadly force against a trespasser.
Finally, don’t set up traps, or otherwise booby trap your property to keep out trespassers. These forms of land protection are not allowed, and can lead to serious criminal charges and civil liability if someone was to be injured or killed as a result.
As always, feel free to call U.S. LawShield anytime and ask to speak to an Independent Program Attorney to discuss these or any other topics you might have, and I’d be happy to discuss them with you.
Pls define “basic force”. Exactly what is that? A fist fight? Throwing a potted plant??🤔😉
I would add that the setting of traps, however enticing if you have been broken into, have the real possibility of injuring first responders. It is not only illegal, but for a very good reason. I have had my home attacked, and thought about setting traps, but I do not want an unsuspecting police officer or firefighter to be injured by a trap (which is already illegal). In sum, there is a reason you cannot set traps that might injure first responders. I’m not sure anyone else trespassing on your property is entitled to protection, but first responders are.
Does an electrified fence constitute a trap? Does it need to be marked as such?
After an unauthorized person illegally enters another’s residence or property, how are they (the property owners) expected to distinguish between a trespasser and a thief? Would a trespasser be presumed a thief or that they intended to physically harm the residents?
Do I need to have “no trespassing” signs on my rural property? And if I do, what is the trespassers consequences?
Not a lawyer but yes you need no trespassing signs. I’ve heard alot of situations where they claim to unknowingly be trespassing, and even some where they have to pass 2 trespassing signs. That mightve been a different state though so dont take the 2 sign thing as gospel, but I guess better safe than sorry. And I mean according to this site apparently, we csnt even do anything if they’re trespassing, they’ll just catch a trespassing charge which would more than likely be dropped anyways if the punishment for the theft charge (if they stole anything) is greater.
If I am a convicted felon who is not allowed to carry a fire arm legally, how am I suppose to protect my family from harm?? Or my place of business, if it gets robbed. What are my legal recourse??
Remember someone breaks into your house and you kill them, don’t call 911 call 811 before you dig a hole to bury the body
Bad people have to many rights!!
So if someone comes into my porch and is in the act of stealing something would I be okay to use rubber bullets instead of the real thing because I’ve been hit twice here at my house one they stole a bike and the second one a gas can?
Well, I’m going to assume that a deadly force of defense would be a lethal weapon that could kill a person. And I assume that basic forces might be something like a stun gun, taser, BB gun, paintball gun as these are non lethal and will only sting or lightly injure an intruder who are trying to steal your things. Even a good ass kicking should do the job when someone is violating your right to privacy, your consumer rights and so forth. After all, it’s your space in which you maintain for personal use. Not commercial use. This goes for illegal foreclosures too. Since the law does not take a consumers report complaint seriously, the private individual does not have to comply to lawlessness nor fraud of unjust acts committed against a home owner just because some jerk isn’t making money off the roof over your head and your life. Scam me and I will paint your ass green.