A Review of Self Defense (MD Specific, But All Should Read)

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Okay, I got a response back in regards to an inquiry I made about self defense in Maryland. Packing.org has an e-mail address for a lawyer named Nic Kuvshinoff ([email protected]) who's willing to address firearms related questions. I e-mailed him, and he sent me back a packet about what juries need to consider for self defense. The entire document, including notes and cited cases, can be found here.

Self-Defense (MPJI-Cr 5:07)
Self-defense is a defense, and the defendant must be found not guilty if all of the following three factors are present:
1) The defendant actually believed that <he> <she> was in immediate and imminent danger of bodily harm.
2) The defendant's belief was reasonable.
3) The defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend <himself> <herself> in light of the threatenend or actual harm.

<Deadly-force is that amount of force reasonably calculated to cause death or serious bodily harm. If the defendant is found to have used deadly-force, it must be decided whether the use of deadly-force was reasonable. Deadly-force is reasonable if the defendant actually had a reasonable belief that the aggressor's force was or would be deadly and that the defendant needed a deadly-force response.>

<In addition, before using deadly-force, the defendant is required to make all reasonable effort to retreat. The defendant does not have to retreat if the defendant was in <his> <her> home, retreat was unsafe, the avenue of retreat was unknown to the defendant, the defendant was being robbed, the defendant was lawfully arresting the victim. If the defendant was found to have not used deadly-force, then the defendant had no duty to retreat.>


Defense of Others (MPJO-Cr 5:01)
Defense of others is a defense, and the defendent must be found not guilty if all of the following four factors are present:
1) The defendant actually believed that the person defended was in immediate and imminent danger of bodily harm.
2) The defendant's belief was reasonable.
3) The defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend the person defended in light of the threatened or actual force.
4) The defendant's purpose in using force was to aid the person defended.


Defense of Habitation - Deadly Force (MPJI-Cr 5:02)
Defense of one's home is a defense, and the defendant must be found not guilty if all of the following three factors are present:
1) The defendant actually believed that (victim) was committing <was just about to commit> the crime of (crime) in <at> the defendant's home.
2) The defendant's belief was reasonable.
3) The defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against the conduct of (victim).


Defense of Property - Nondeadly Force (MPJI-Cr 5:02.1)
Defense of property is a defense, and the defendant must be found not guilty if all of the following three factors are present:
1) The defendant actually believed that (victim) was unlawfuly interfering <was just about to unlawfully interfere> with property.
2) The defendant's belief was reasonable.
3) The defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against the victim's interference with the property. <A person may not use deadly force to defend <his> <her> property. Deadly force is that amount of force reasonably calculated to cause death or serious bodily harm.>
It should be noted that, under Maryland law, it appears you can use deadly force to prevent a crime (including robbery) if you find the killing is necessary to prevent the felony from occuring. However, it also says the defender must not use excessive force and "all other means of preventing the crime must first be exhausted." I'm not sure what this means, but I suspect it could be interpreted to mean having your doors locked and whatnot. If a guy bursts into your home, he's already committing a crime and therefore all preventative measures have failed. I am not a lawyer.

Beyond that, it looks pretty clear-cut.
 
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