{"id":377150,"date":"2018-06-20T13:51:46","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T18:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-self-defense-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-07-10T17:44:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T22:44:12","slug":"washington-self-defense-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-self-defense-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Self-Defense Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Self-Defense Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Washington self-defense laws regulate the lawful use of force to prevent imminent threats against individuals and property.<\/blockquote>\r\n

Self-defense laws vary from state to state. Unlike some places, Washington state does not have an affirmative "stand your ground" law. Instead, Washington’s laws permit the use of necessary force to prevent an imminent threat against a person or their personal property.<\/p>\r\n

Washington’s self-defense laws<\/a> include homes and real property. Washington does not have the castle doctrine<\/a> as a separate statute that allows homeowners to defend their property. Instead, Washington includes homes, businesses, and other property within the self-defense statute.<\/p>\r\n

All Washington’s self-defense laws require is that you use a reasonable amount of force equivalent to the perceived threat. In other words, if someone with a nail file attacks you, you may not use a bazooka in response.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Self-Defense Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Washington self-defense laws recognize three types of lawful use of force. These are defense of self or others, excusable use of lethal force, and justifiable use of force. Let’s take a look at each one.<\/p>\r\n

Lawful Use of Force<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Use of force is legal, provided the individual exercising it uses a degree of force no greater than necessary<\/a> to defend themselves or others. The person must be in a location they are lawfully entitled to be and not engaged in any unlawful activity. For instance, you cannot attack your drug dealer mid-transaction and pretend you were holding them until the cops got there.<\/p>\r\n

An individual may use force:<\/p>\r\n