Castle Doctrine Language

[BWB]

Most references to Castle Doctrine laws I've seen use the terms "forced entry" and "illegal entry" as thresholds for justified use of force in self defense.
Question: Is the entry of a person unknown, unexpected, and unwelcomed by the occupant through an unlocked domicile door either of these in the eyes of the law? Leaving aside the wisdom of such practice for the purposes of this discussion, the reality is that many folks leave their doors unlocked during the daytime, especially in rural areas. What if that door is also standing open for ventilation, etc.?
To what degree does threatening behavior, body language, or verbal threat influence this situation? Must it be present? What if a stranger enters unexpectedly and without a word heads for the TV?

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

In most states with CD law, it doesn't matter the mode of entry. It only matters that they were there uninvited and you felt threatened. It's up to the DA to determine whether or not they actually meant harm and to possibly file charges on you. If they just walked in your unlocked door open handed and you shot them, that would surely ensue a very rigorous investigation into both the victim as well as the perpetrator. CD doesn't just give you "open season". There are degrees of threat to make it a viable defense in these cases. If my main door is open, the screen door is locked. To gain entry, a perpetrator would have to use force, then get past a couple of very aggressive Rotties. That would show an extreme aggression and would prove viable in my defense after I blew his brains out.

 

[absinthe]

Although it isn't a lot of force, pushing open a door is still using "force" and therefore constitutes a "forced entry".

Illegal entry simply means they didn't have right as an owner/resident and weren't invited, either specifically or by obvious general invitation that would conclude a reasonable person to believe they would be allowed to enter. (Ex: You put a sign on your door that says "Open House").