duty to retreat

[ doo-tee tuh ri-treet, dyoo-tee ]

noun

, Law.

1. a legal principle that requires a person as a first response to back away or flee from a threatening situation rather than attempt self-defense by deadly force:

   Duty to retreat has always been a debatable doctrine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of duty to retreat¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

She’s battled against Florida’s so-called stand your ground law, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in the face of danger and was used as a self-defense argument at Zimmerman’s trial, resulting in his acquittal.

From Seattle Times

Nebraska is among a handful of states where the law says a person has a duty to retreat from threat if they can do so safely before using deadly force, with the exception of a person’s home or workplace.

From Seattle Times

The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

From Washington Times

The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

From Seattle Times

He said police were the initial aggressors and they had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

From Seattle Times