US Lawyer Database

For Lawyer-Seekers

YOU DESERVE THE BEST LAWYER

Section 627:1 – General Rule.

    627:1 General Rule. – Conduct which is justifiable under this chapter constitutes a defense to any offense. The fact that such conduct is justifiable shall constitute a complete defense to any civil action based on such conduct. Source. 1971, 518:1. 1979, 429:2, eff. Aug. 22, 1979.

Section 627:1-a – Civil Immunity.

    627:1-a Civil Immunity. – A person who uses force in self-protection or in the protection of other persons pursuant to RSA 627:4, in the protection of premises and property pursuant to RSA 627:7 and 627:8, in law enforcement pursuant to RSA 627:5, or in the care or welfare of a minor pursuant to RSA […]

Section 627:2 – Public Duty.

    627:2 Public Duty. – I. Any conduct, other than the use of physical force under circumstances specifically dealt with in other sections of this chapter, is justifiable when it is authorized by law, including laws defining functions of public servants or the assistance to be rendered public servants in the performance of their duties; […]

Section 627:3 – Competing Harms.

    627:3 Competing Harms. – I. Conduct which the actor believes to be necessary to avoid harm to himself or another is justifiable if the desirability and urgency of avoiding such harm outweigh, according to ordinary standards of reasonableness, the harm sought to be prevented by the statute defining the offense charged. The desirability and […]

Section 627:4 – Physical Force in Defense of a Person.

    627:4 Physical Force in Defense of a Person. – I. A person is justified in using non-deadly force upon another person in order to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful, non-deadly force by such other person, and he may use a degree […]

Section 627:5 – Physical Force in Law Enforcement.

    627:5 Physical Force in Law Enforcement. – I. A law enforcement officer is justified in using non-deadly force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to effect an arrest or detention or to prevent the escape from custody of an arrested or detained person, unless he knows […]

Section 627:6 – Physical Force by Persons With Special Responsibilities.

    627:6 Physical Force by Persons With Special Responsibilities. – I. A parent, guardian or other person responsible for the general care and welfare of a minor is justified in using force against such minor when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or punish such minor’s misconduct. II. (a) […]

Section 627:7 – Use of Force in Defense of Premises.

    627:7 Use of Force in Defense of Premises. – A person in possession or control of premises or a person who is licensed or privileged to be thereon is justified in using non-deadly force upon another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate the commission of […]

Section 627:8 – Use of Force in Property Offenses.

    627:8 Use of Force in Property Offenses. – A person is justified in using force upon another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent what is or reasonably appears to be an unlawful taking of his property, or criminal mischief, or to retake his property immediately following its […]

Section 627:8-a – Use of Force by Merchants.

    627:8-a Use of Force by Merchants. – I. A merchant, or his or her agent, is justified in detaining any person who he or she has reasonable grounds to believe has committed the offense of willful concealment, as defined by RSA 637:3-a, on his or her premises as long as necessary to surrender the […]

Section 627:8-b – Detention Powers of County Fair Security Guards.

    627:8-b Detention Powers of County Fair Security Guards. – I. Any county fair security guard who meets the requirements of paragraph II shall have the power to detain any person who he has reasonable grounds to believe has committed any offense under the laws of the state, on the premises of the county fair […]

Section 627:9 – Definitions.

    627:9 Definitions. – As used in this chapter: I. "Curtilage" means those outbuildings which are proximately, directly and intimately connected with a dwelling, together with all the land or grounds surrounding the dwelling such as are necessary, convenient, and habitually used for domestic purposes. II. "Deadly force" means any assault or confinement which the […]