Duty to Retreat States 2025

In the realm of self-defense laws in the United States, the concept of “duty to retreat” refers to an individual’s legal obligation to attempt to withdraw or retreat from a threatening situation before resorting to the use of force, especially deadly force. In states where the duty to retreat is mandated, individuals are required by law to make reasonable efforts to avoid confrontation and remove themselves from harm’s way if possible, even if they are lawfully present in a public place.

The duty to retreat contrasts with the “stand your ground” and “castle doctrine” principles. In “stand your ground” states, individuals have no obligation to retreat and are legally permitted to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves in any location where they have a legal right to be, as long as they reasonably believe such force is necessary to prevent imminent harm. On the other hand, the “castle doctrine” allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves within their own homes or other private spaces without any duty to retreat.

The use of the duty to retreat doctrine dates back centuries and has its roots in English common law. Its application in modern American jurisprudence varies from state to state, with some states adhering strictly to this principle, while others have adopted “stand your ground” or “castle doctrine” laws.

As indicated in the list provided, several states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, are classified as duty-to-retreat states. In these jurisdictions, individuals must attempt to retreat from a threatening situation if it is safe to do so before resorting to the use of force in self-defense. Conversely, states adopting the “stand your ground” or “castle doctrine” provide individuals with more legal leeway to defend themselves without first attempting to retreat.