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Home Security and Self-Defense Laws Flashcards

7 cards from real CA-FSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Home Security and Self-Defense Laws flashcards as text

  1. Under California's Castle Doctrine, when may you use deadly force against an intruder who has forcibly entered your home?

    Answer: When you reasonably fear imminent death or great bodily injury

    California Penal Code 198.5 allows deadly force against a forcible intruder when you reasonably fear imminent death or great bodily injury to yourself or another occupant.

  2. California law presumes that a resident who uses deadly force against a forcible intruder acted in reasonable fear of death. Which condition must first be met?

    Answer: The entry must have been forcible and unlawful

    PC 198.5 requires the entry to be both forcible and unlawful before the presumption of reasonable fear applies.

  3. You fire a warning shot into the ceiling to scare off an intruder in your California home. What legal risk do you face?

    Answer: Potential criminal liability for negligent discharge of a firearm

    California law does not authorize warning shots, and discharging a firearm carelessly can result in criminal charges for negligent discharge.

  4. Which statement best describes California's position on the 'duty to retreat' when you are inside your own home?

    Answer: There is no duty to retreat inside your own home

    California's Castle Doctrine eliminates the duty to retreat when you are in your home and face a forcible, unlawful intruder.

  5. A neighbor walks through your unlocked back door uninvited but does not threaten you. Can you legally shoot them under the Castle Doctrine?

    Answer: No, because the entry was not forcible

    Castle Doctrine protections require a forcible and unlawful entry; walking through an unlocked, unobstructed door does not constitute forcible entry.

  6. Under California law, can you use deadly force solely to protect personal property such as a car or wallet?

    Answer: No, deadly force to protect property alone is not justified

    California law does not permit the use of deadly force merely to protect property; force is only justified when there is a threat to human life or safety.

  7. If an intruder flees your home and you pursue them outside and shoot them, are you still protected by the Castle Doctrine?

    Answer: No, Castle Doctrine protections apply only inside the home

    The Castle Doctrine applies specifically to situations inside your home; once you leave to pursue the fleeing intruder, the justification no longer applies.