Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2018
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Under the law, people are generally permitted to defend themselves when threatened, but self-defense laws vary with each jurisdiction. For example, some states have "stand your ground laws" while others require a person to retreat before using force. There are also some states that combine these two ideas by following the "castle doctrine," where a person doesn't need to retreat in their own home or place of business. Regardless of which of these approaches a jurisdiction follows, nearly all self-defense laws require that any force used be proportionate to the harm that was feared.
In order to better understand Washington's self-defense laws, it's helpful to define a few related terms. For purposes of self-defense, necessary means that there was no other reasonably effective alternative to the use of force and that the amount of force used was reasonable. Deadly force is defined as using a firearm or any other means that is likely to cause serious physical injury or death.
When you have a legal question, you usually want a quick and straightforward answer. Unfortunately legal questions rarely have simple answers and, while reading the actual language of a law is important, it's often written in legal jargon that can take time to understand. For this reason, it's helpful to read a summary of the law in plain English. The following table highlights key provisions in Washington self-defense laws and provides links to relevant statutes.
| Statute(s) | Washington Revised Code:
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| Lawful Use of Force | The use of force is lawful when used out of necessity by:
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| Excusable Homicide | A homicide is excusable if it's committed by accident while in the course a lawful act, as long as there's no criminal negligence or any unlawful intent. |
| Justifiable Homicide | A homicide is justifiable if it's done:
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| Related Statute(s) | Washington Revised Code:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
If you'd like to read additional information and resources related to this topic, you can visit the links listed below.
There are times when the use of force, even when deadly, is excusable or justifiable. If you've been charged with killing or seriously injuring someone, it's in your best interest to speak with a local criminal defense attorney who can review the facts of your case and determine if Washington self-defense laws apply.
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