Nevada law allows individuals to defend themselves, their families, and their property, but using force in self-defense is not a free pass. The right to use deadly force is limited by strict legal standards, and misunderstanding those boundaries can result in serious criminal charges.
Whether you're a gun owner or someone concerned about personal protection, it’s important to understand how Nevada’s “stand your ground” and justifiable homicide laws actually work. If you’ve already been charged after using force in a self-defense situation, the stakes are high, and the right legal strategy can make all the difference.
At Goodman Law Group, we represent clients across Nevada in high-stakes criminal matters, including cases involving firearms and self-defense. Here's what every responsible gun owner and self-defense claimant needs to know.
When Is Force Legally Justified in Nevada?
Nevada allows the use of physical, and in some cases deadly, force to protect yourself, others, or your property, but only when certain legal standards are met.
Under NRS 200.120 and related statutes, the use of force is justified if it is:
- Used to prevent an offense against yourself or your family
- Used to prevent an unlawful and forcible entry into your occupied home or vehicle
- Used in good faith, without intent to escalate or provoke
- Proportional and immediately necessary in response to a threat
Understanding Nevada’s “Stand Your Ground” Law
Nevada law makes clear that individuals have no duty to retreat when they are in a place where they have a lawful right to be, such as their home, vehicle, or workplace.
This means you can stand your ground and use force in self-defense if:
- You are not the initial aggressor
- You are not engaged in criminal activity at the time
- You use force that is reasonable and proportional to the threat
The law still requires that your belief in the threat be objectively reasonable – meaning a judge or jury must agree that a reasonable person in your position would have believed the force was necessary.
For example, it may be considered objectively reasonable to use force if:
- An armed intruder breaks into your home late at night while you and your family are sleeping
- Someone lunges at you with a knife in a parking lot during an argument
- A person tries to force their way into your locked vehicle while you’re inside
On the other hand, a self-defense claim might be rejected if:
- You escalated a verbal argument by pulling your firearm on an unarmed person
- You used deadly force against someone walking away from the confrontation
- You were engaged in illegal activity when the incident occurred
Ultimately, each case is judged on its specific facts, and it’s up to your defense attorney to show why your response was reasonable and justified under Nevada law.
What Qualifies as Justifiable Homicide?
Under NRS 200.120–200.160, homicide may be legally justified when:
- A person unlawfully and forcibly enters your occupied home or vehicle
- The intruder manifests intent to commit violence or a felony
- You lawfully occupy the residence or vehicle
- You are not the initial aggressor and not involved in criminal conduct
This doctrine is sometimes referred to as the Castle Doctrine, which protects your right to defend your home from unlawful entry and violence.
Important: These protections do not apply if you were committing a crime at the time or provoked the confrontation. If prosecutors can argue you were the aggressor, self-defense protections may not apply.
Immunity from Civil Lawsuits for Justified Force
Nevada law also provides civil immunity under NRS 41.095 for individuals who justifiably use deadly force. If the force you used meets legal standards for justification, you may be shielded from being sued for wrongful death or personal injury by the person (or their family) against whom the force was used.
However, immunity is not automatic. Even if no criminal charges are filed, a civil court may still require you to prove that your use of force met the legal definition of justification. In some cases, an immunity hearing may be necessary before or during a criminal trial.
What Happens If You’re Charged After Acting in Self-Defense?
If you’ve used force in a self-defense situation and are now facing charges—whether for assault, battery, or homicide—the burden shifts to your defense team to prove that your actions were justified under the law.
Common self-defense charges we handle include:
- Battery with a deadly weapon
- Assault with a firearm
- Manslaughter or murder
- Reckless endangerment
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm
These cases require a strategic and aggressive defense. Evidence such as 911 calls, witness statements, surveillance footage, medical reports, and expert testimony may be used to support a self-defense claim. In some cases, it may also be possible to file for a pretrial motion to dismiss based on self-defense immunity.
Why Choose Goodman Law Group for a Self-Defense Case?
Criminal charges involving self-defense are highly fact-dependent, and success often comes down to your attorney’s ability to present your actions in the right legal light.
Ross Goodman is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialist with nearly 30 years of experience handling high-profile and high-stakes cases in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. He’s also one of the few attorneys in the state recognized by the USCCA Attorney Network, reflecting his experience in firearms-related criminal defense.
Whether your case involves a justified shooting, a mistaken arrest, or a prosecutor trying to discredit your account of events, Goodman Law Group can build a powerful defense aimed at getting charges dropped, reduced, or defeated at trial.
Arrested After a Self-Defense Incident? Call Today.
The aftermath of a self-defense situation can be legally and emotionally overwhelming. If you’ve been arrested or charged for using force, even if you were protecting yourself or your family, you need a defense lawyer who understands the law and how to protect your rights.
Call (702) 825-7854 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation.