Duty to Retreat

This lesson covers the subject of the duty to retreat as a requirement for the justification defense of self-defense. The lesson reviews the common law and current status of the duty to retreat. This subject matter is not particularly complicated, but there are some details that require close scrutiny.

The lesson assumes some understanding of the duty to retreat as integrated into the defense of self-defense. One who works the lesson will pinpoint the nuances of issues that arise in the context of current issues relating to the duty to retreat, and exceptions to the requirement of retreat. Finally, the lesson focuses on appropriate instructions to the jury on the duty of retreat.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the common law view and the current status of the duty to retreat.
2. Analyze the exceptions to the requirement of retreat.
3. Provide examples of the appropriate instructions to the jury on the duty to retreat.