Self Defense
RCW 9A.16.020 — force no more than necessary, and costs repaid on an acquittal for self defense
In Washington, force is not unlawful when used by a person about to be injured, or by someone lawfully aiding them, to prevent an offense against their person, or a malicious trespass or other malicious interference with property lawfully in their possession, so long as the force is not more than is necessary.
Force may also be reasonably used to detain someone who enters or remains unlawfully in a building or on property in the person's lawful possession, if the detention is reasonable in duration and manner to investigate why they are there, and the premises did not reasonably appear open to the public.
When homicide is justifiable. Homicide is justifiable in the lawful defense of oneself, a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, or anyone in one's presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design to commit a felony or do some great personal injury and imminent danger of it being carried out, or in actually resisting an attempt to commit a felony on oneself or in the dwelling where one is.
Costs repaid on an acquittal. No person is placed in legal jeopardy for protecting, by any reasonable means necessary, themselves, their family or their property, or for coming to the aid of another in imminent danger of a violent crime. A person found not guilty by reason of self defense is reimbursed by the state for reasonable costs, including lost time and legal fees, where the claim was sustained by a preponderance of the evidence.
The judge may deny or reduce the award where the defendant was engaged in criminal conduct substantially related to the events. Whether force was lawful in a given case is a question for a court and for a licensed Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- RCW 9A.16.020 — Use of force; when lawful
- RCW 9A.16.050 — Homicide; by other person; when justifiable
- RCW 9A.16.110 — Defending against violent crime; reimbursement
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.