Wyoming’s Stand Your Ground law provides broad legal protections for individuals who use force—including deadly force—in self-defense without the obligation to retreat from a threatening situation, as long as certain conditions are met.
Key Features
No Duty to Retreat: Individuals are not required to attempt to escape or retreat before using force in self-defense, provided they are lawfully present and not engaged in illegal activity.
Where It Applies: The law applies anywhere a person is lawfully present, including homes, vehicles, and public spaces.
Reasonable Belief Standard: The use of force is justified only if the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily injury, or the commission of a violent felony.
Immunity: If the use of force is found to be justified, the individual is immune from both criminal prosecution and civil liability for injuries or damages resulting from the incident.
Not for Aggressors: The law does not protect those who provoke or instigate the confrontation. If a person is the initial aggressor, they cannot claim Stand Your Ground as a defense.
Castle Doctrine Inclusion
Wyoming’s law also incorporates the Castle Doctrine, which specifically applies to defending one’s home or habitation. If an intruder unlawfully and forcibly enters a home, the resident is presumed to have a reasonable fear of imminent peril and may use defensive force, including deadly force, without retreating.
Proportionality and Reasonableness
The force used must be proportional to the threat faced. The law requires that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would judge the force necessary to prevent injury or loss.
Legal Process and Evidence
Individuals asserting Stand Your Ground should promptly contact law enforcement, provide a detailed account, and gather evidence (such as witness statements or surveillance footage) to support their claim. If the defense is unsuccessful, criminal charges or civil lawsuits may still result.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law
2. https://thewrangler.com/understanding-wyomings-stand-your-ground-law-2/2025/06/08/
3. https://thewrangler.com/understanding-wyomings-stand-your-ground-law/2025/06/07/
