Self-defense is one of the most well-known pleas against violent criminal charges. People who have been charged with violent crimes such as assault or murder have been acquitted because they were able to show the court that they were trying to protect themselves or someone else.
Laws concerning self-defense are nuanced and can sometimes be complex. Some states have stand-your-ground laws, which allow individuals who are threatened with physical violence to defend themselves with deadly force in certain cases. Other states have duty-to-retreat laws, which require a person who is violently threatened to exhaust all other options before responding with deadly force.
This article will explore self-defense laws in Illinois, including the duty to retreat and the Castle Doctrine. It is important to note that a legal defense is most effective when crafted by an experienced Illinois self-defense attorney.