Self Defense
IC 35-41-3-2 — reasonable force against imminent unlawful force, and no duty to retreat where deadly force is justified
A person is justified in using reasonable force to protect self or a third person from what the person reasonably believes is the imminent use of unlawful force. Deadly force is justified, with no duty to retreat, where the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to self or a third person, or the commission of a forcible felony.
Who handles this in Indiana: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Indiana directory.
Reasonable force, deadly force included, is justified with no duty to retreat where the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or end another's unlawful entry of, or attack on, the person's dwelling, curtilage or occupied motor vehicle. For other property, reasonable force is justified to stop a trespass or criminal interference, but deadly force only where it would be justified to protect a person.
None of that justifies force used by the following.
- Someone committing a crime, or escaping after one.
- Someone who provokes unlawful action intending to cause the other person bodily injury.
- Someone who entered into combat or is the initial aggressor, unless that person withdraws, says so, and the other person carries on or threatens to.
Force against a public servant has its own rules. Reasonable force against a public servant is justified on the same three grounds, but not where the person reasonably believes the public servant is acting lawfully or carrying out official duties. Deadly force against someone known or reasonably known to be a public servant needs a reasonable belief that the public servant is acting unlawfully or outside official duties, and that the force is reasonably necessary to prevent serious bodily injury.
Sources for this section (1)
- IC 35-41-3-2 — Use of force to protect person or property
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Indiana attorney.