What Is Justified Force?
If you were forced to protect yourself or someone else, you may be wondering whether Arizona law considers your actions justified. Self-defense is a powerful legal protection—but it is not automatic. Understanding when force is legally justified can make the difference between a dismissed charge and a serious felony conviction.
At Rideout Law Group, our criminal defense team represents clients throughout Scottsdale, Lake Havasu City, Phoenix, and across Arizona who are facing assault, aggravated assault, and weapons charges involving claims of self-defense. With decades of combined courtroom experience—including former prosecutor insight in Mohave County—we understand how Arizona courts analyze justification defenses.
Below is a breakdown of how Arizona self-defense laws work and what “justified force” really means.
What Is Self-Defense Under Arizona Law?
Arizona law allows a person to use physical force when it is immediately necessary to protect themselves against another person’s unlawful use of force.
In simple terms, you may defend yourself if:
- Someone is threatening or attacking you
- You reasonably believe force is necessary
- The amount of force used is proportional to the threat
However, the law does not allow unlimited force in every situation. The key issue in most cases is whether your belief and response were considered “reasonable” under the circumstances.
When Is Physical Force Justified? (ARS §13-404)
Under Arizona Revised Statutes §13-404, non-deadly physical force is justified when:
- You reasonably believe it is immediately necessary
- It is used to protect against another person’s unlawful physical force
Examples may include:
- Pushing someone away who is attempting to punch you
- Blocking an attack
- Physically restraining someone to stop an assault
The threat must be immediate—not something that might happen later. Words alone, in most situations, are not enough to justify physical retaliation.
When Is Deadly Force Justified? (ARS §13-405)
Arizona law also permits the use of deadly force under specific circumstances.
Deadly force may be justified if you reasonably believe it is necessary to:
- Protect yourself against another’s use or attempted use of deadly force
- Prevent certain serious felonies such as armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping, or aggravated assault
Deadly force refers to force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury, including the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon.
The central legal question becomes:
Would a reasonable person in your position have believed deadly force was necessary at that moment?
This is often the issue prosecutors challenge in aggravated assault and weapons cases.
Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” Law
Arizona is considered a “Stand Your Ground” state. This means:
- You are not required to retreat before using force
- You may stand your ground if you are in a place where you have a legal right to be
Unlike some states, Arizona does not impose a duty to retreat before defending yourself.
However, this does not give someone permission to escalate a confrontation unnecessarily. The force used must still be reasonable and proportional to the threat.
The Castle Doctrine in Arizona (ARS §13-418 & §13-419)
Arizona also follows the Castle Doctrine, which applies to homes—and in some cases, occupied vehicles.
Under ARS §13-418 and §13-419:
- You may use physical or deadly force if someone unlawfully or forcefully enters your home
- The law presumes you acted reasonably in certain home-invasion situations
This presumption can be powerful in court. However, prosecutors may still argue:
- The entry was not truly unlawful
- The force used was excessive
- The threat had ended
Even strong Castle Doctrine cases require strategic legal presentation.
When Self-Defense Does Not Apply
Self-defense may not be available if:
- You were the initial aggressor
- You provoked the confrontation
- The threat was not immediate
- The force used was clearly excessive
For example, continuing to strike someone after the threat has ended may undermine a self-defense claim.
Additionally, mutual combat situations—such as bar fights—can significantly complicate justification defenses in Arizona courts.
How Self-Defense Impacts Assault and Aggravated Assault Charges
Many assault and aggravated assault cases in Maricopa County and Mohave County hinge on whether the defendant acted in lawful self-defense.
Even if police make an arrest, that does not mean the full story was considered.
Prosecutors will examine:
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- 911 recordings
- Medical reports
- Whether weapons were involved
A strong defense often requires independent investigation, scene analysis, and aggressive courtroom advocacy.
Brad Rideout, founder of Rideout Law Group, began his Arizona legal career as a Deputy County Attorney for Mohave County, prosecuting serious felonies before transitioning to criminal defense. That background provides critical insight into how the state evaluates use-of-force cases.
Why You Need an Experienced Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney
Claiming self-defense is not as simple as telling the court you were protecting yourself. Jury instructions must accurately reflect Arizona’s justification statutes, and legal burdens may shift during litigation.
An experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney can:
- Evaluate whether your use of force meets Arizona’s legal standards
- Challenge inconsistencies in witness accounts
- File motions to dismiss when justified force clearly applies
- Present a compelling, evidence-based self-defense argument at trial
Without strategic representation, prosecutors may attempt to frame a defensive act as criminal conduct.
Facing Charges After Defending Yourself? Act Immediately.
If you were arrested after defending yourself in Scottsdale (11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 225, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) or Lake Havasu City (2800 Sweetwater Ave, Suite A104, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406), do not assume the system will automatically recognize your actions as justified.
Self-defense laws are complex, fact-specific, and aggressively litigated in Arizona courts. Early legal intervention can:
- Preserve surveillance and physical evidence
- Secure favorable witness statements
- Prevent overcharging
- Strengthen your justification defense from the start
Rideout Law Group represents clients facing assault, aggravated assault, weapons offenses, and other serious criminal charges throughout Arizona as part of its comprehensive Criminal Defense practice.
If your freedom and future are on the line, contact our team for a confidential consultation and immediate legal guidance.
📍 Scottsdale Office: (480) 584-3328
📍 Lake Havasu Office: (928) 854-8181
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.