Humans are unpredictable. They can be volatile and aggressive if they fear for their safety. Particularly when experiencing a conflict with a stranger, people may be unsure of how to react and how much risk they actually face. If they feel threatened, they may choose to use physical force to defend themselves and others against what they perceive as an imminent threat.
In extreme cases, people may even use lethal force to defend themselves, their property and other people. They could then face criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances, claiming that their use of force was solely for the purpose of self-defense may be a viable criminal defense strategy. There are restrictions on when defendants can mount a claim of self-defense.
Do people need to try to calm another person down or leave before they use lethal force to defend themselves?
Location determines which self-defense rules apply
Like many states, Maryland acknowledges the castle doctrine. People defending their primary residences do not have an obligation to try to leave or to de-escalate a confrontation before using force, including lethal force, to defend themselves.
However, if an altercation occurs in a public location, then the rule is different. Maryland does not have a stand-your-ground statute that allows for the use of lethal force in public locations without trying to leave or avoid violence. People confronted in public locations typically need to try to leave or to calm the other party down before they choose to use lethal force for their own protection.
Those accused of murder or other kinds of violence because of a self-defense incident can potentially mount an affirmative defense. Reviewing the situation leading to homicide charges with a skilled legal team can help people plan reasonable defense strategies.