TCA 39-11-614
Protection of property
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What does this charge mean?
This is a legal defense (not a crime itself) that allows you to use force to protect property you legally possess from someone trespassing on it or illegally interfering with it, or to recover property that was just stolen from you if you use force immediately and the thief used force to take it—but you generally cannot use deadly force just to protect property.
Penalty Details
ClassificationUnknown
Penalty SummaryClassification not specified
(a) A person in lawful possession of real or personal property is justified in threatening or using force against another, when and to the degree it is reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other’s trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property. (b) A person who has been unlawfully dispossessed of real or personal property is justified in threatening or using force against the other, when and to the degree it is reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to reenter the land or recover the property, if the person threatens or uses the force immediately or in fresh pursuit after the dispossession: (1) The person reasonably believes the other had no claim of right when the other dispossessed the person; and (2) The other accomplished the dispossession by threatening or using force against the person. (c) Unless a person is justified in using deadly force as otherwise provided by law, a person is not justified in using deadly force to prevent or terminate the other’s trespass on real estate or unlawful interference with personal property.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Quick Facts
PENDING
TCA Section39-11-614