Defense of Property

Non-deadly force may protect property; deadly force never permitted solely for property.

Representative cases

• State v. Patch 488 A.2d 755 · Supreme Court of Vermont
• Person v. Children's Hospital National Medical Center 562 A.2d 648 · District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• Woodard v. Turnipseed 784 So. 2d 239 · Court of Appeals of Mississippi

Related Intentional Torts rules

• Intentional Torts: IntentIntent exists when defendant acts with purpose or knowledge to a substantial certainty that harm will occur.
• Battery: ElementsBattery requires intent, harmful or offensive contact, and that contact be with plaintiff's person.
• Assault: ElementsAssault is intentional act creating reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact.
• False ImprisonmentFalse imprisonment is intentional confinement without lawful privilege and without consent.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIIED requires extreme and outrageous conduct intended or recklessly causing severe emotional distress.
• Trespass to LandTrespass to land requires intentional physical invasion of plaintiff’s real property.
• Trespass to ChattelsTrespass to chattels involves intentional interference with another’s possessory rights causing actual harm.
• ConversionConversion requires intentional dominion or control over chattel that seriously interferes with plaintiff’s rights.

Part of Torts on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.