§ 13A-3-25 — Use of Force in Defense of Premises

Alabama § 13A-3-25

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 13A: Criminal Code
• Ch. 3: Defenses
• Art. 2: Justification and Excuse

Text

(a) A person in lawful possession or control of premises, as defined in Section 13A-3-20, or a person who is licensed or privileged to be thereon, may use physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate what he reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass by the other person in or upon such premises.
(b) A person may use deadly physical force under the circumstances set forth in subsection (a) of this section only:
(1) In defense of a person, as provided in Section 13A-3-23; or
(2) When he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the commission of arson in the first or second degree by the trespasser.

Legislative History

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §620.)