If you acted to protect yourself or someone you love and still wound up in handcuffs, you’re not alone. In Connecticut, police often arrest first and let the courts decide whether force was reasonable. I’ve spent 30+ years showing judges and juries why my clients’ actions were justified—and getting charges reduced or dismissed when the facts support self-defense.
When Protecting Yourself Leads to Criminal ChargesGetting into a situation where you had to defend yourself is scary enough. What makes it worse is when the police show up, hear one side of the story, and suddenly you’re the one in handcuffs. I see this happen all the time—people who were trying to protect themselves or a family member end up charged with assault,disorderly conduct, or worse.
I tell clients this constantly: just because you were defending yourself doesn’t mean the system will automatically see it that way. That’s where I come in—making sure the judge and jury hear your side and understand that what you did was self-preservation, not a crime.
Key Connecticut Rules at a Glance (C.G.S. § 53a-19)Under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-19, you’re allowed to use reasonable force if you believe it’s necessary to protect yourself or someone else from unlawful physical force.
Your home is your castle. If someone unlawfully enters, you do not have to run away before defending yourself. The Castle Doctrine recognizes that you can use reasonable—even deadly—force to protect yourself and your family inside your dwelling.
Once you step outside, the rules change. In a parking lot, bar, or street, courts will scrutinize whether you could have safely retreated before using deadly force. That’s where many self-defense cases get tricky.
How These Cases Are Prosecuted—and How We Push Back
These stories are common. Each turns on reasonableness, proportionality, and whether retreat or withdrawal was possible and communicated.
Why Having a Lawyer MattersPolice often arrest first and let the courts sort it out. Prosecutors focus on “reasonableness,” which is open to interpretation. With more than 30 years in Stamford Superior Court and surrounding towns, I build justification defenses that hold up: cross-examining the complainant, challenging the state’s narrative, and proving you acted out of necessity, not aggression.
Charges Where Self-Defense Often MattersAssault (all degrees), disorderly conduct, breach of peace, threatening, and certain weapons allegations. In family-violence cases, we also address protective orders and tailor the strategy to avoid violations while your defense proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Defense in Connecticut 1) Do I Have to Wait to Be Hit Before Defending Myself?No. If you reasonably believe an attack is imminent, you can act first with proportionate force.
2) Can I Defend my Spouse, Child, or friend?Yes. You can use reasonable force to protect others under the same rules that apply to defending yourself.
3) What if the Other Person Wasn’t Armed?Deadly force is rarely justified against an unarmed person unless you reasonably believed you faced imminent death or serious injury based on the circumstances.
4) Can I Use a Weapon in Self-Defense?It depends on proportionality and what you reasonably perceived. Non-deadly defensive tools may be justified; deadly force requires a qualifying threat.
5) Do I Always Have to Retreat?Outside your home, you must retreat before using deadly force if you can do so with complete safety. Inside your dwelling, you do not have to retreat (absent initial aggression).
6) What if Both of us Say We Acted in Self-Defense?That’s common. The jury decides whose actions were reasonable based on evidence, timing, and credibility.
7) Does Self-Defense Apply in Domestic Violence Cases?Yes, but courts examine these closely. We combine justification with protective-order strategy to avoid new charges.
8) What if My Claim of Self-Defense Is Rejected?You can be convicted of the underlying charge. That’s why we build justification early and pursue dismissal or acquittal with a clear, consistent narrative.
9) Do Police Accept Self-Defense Claims at the Scene?Usually not. They often arrest one or both parties and let the courts decide. Stay polite and decline detailed statements until you have counsel.
10) Can Self-Defense Lead to a Dismissal?Yes. If the state cannot disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt, charges should be dismissed—or you should be acquitted at trial.
11) Can I Claim Self-Defense if I Threw the First Punch?Generally no, unless you clearly withdrew and communicated that, and the other person continued the attack. We use video, witnesses, and timing to establish withdrawal or true escalation.
12) What Counts as a “Reasonable Belief”?What a reasonable person in your exact circumstances would think—considering lighting, distance, prior threats, number of assailants, and sudden movements. The law judges reasonableness, not hindsight perfection.
13) Does Connecticut Have “Stand-Your-Ground”?No. Connecticut imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force outside the home (if safe). There is no duty to retreat in your dwelling and generally at your workplace if you weren’t the aggressor.
14) Will Carrying Pepper Spray or a Defensive Tool Hurt My Case?Not necessarily. If used proportionately and consistent with your reasonable perception of danger, it can be lawful. Context and necessity are key.
15) Will I Still Face Charges Even if It’s Self-Defense?Often, yes—especially at the start. Our job is to develop the justification evidence quickly and push for dismissal before trial when the facts support it.
Take the First Step to Protect YourselfIf you’re reading this, you—or someone you love—may already be charged after defending yourself. You’re worried about your freedom, record, and reputation. You don’t have to face this alone.
I’ve defended self-defense cases across Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, and Fairfield County for decades. I know how to fight back against unfair charges and build the justification that wins.
Call me today at (203) 357-5555 or contact me online for a free consultation. Let’s talk about your case, your options, and how we can protect your rights.