Hi all - trying to get a good understanding for my home defense battle drills. Does anyone have any good insights/wisdom on the below?

What are the legal rules of engagement when confronting a home intruder?
To what extent can I use force to defend myself and my property against a home intruder?

Can I use deadly force if a home intruder is unarmed?
If a home intruder is fleeing, am I still allowed to use force to stop them?
How do the rules of engagement change if the home intruder is someone I know?

Thanks,
Paul

Paul, it’s all state dependent. I’m not a lawyer but I do know that even here in liberal Maine, if you can articulate fear of death or great bodily harm, then the likelihood of being charged is greatly reduced. The question of someone you know is an interesting one. No, that doesn’t change the laws against fear of great bodily harm, but I am sure knowing someone increases the likelihood of a more thorough investigation

HI Paul I know Matt is right. Every state is different. I'm in another liberal state, New Jersey, and here the guy can break into your house and steal your things and you can't do a damn thing. If you're threatened AND CAN PROVE IT, you can fight back.
A great source of state specific information is US Law Shield. I can't get USCCA in NJ but I think they are pretty good too.
Good luck
Pete

Thanks all. Appreciate the insight. I did some digging into Pennsylvania and it seems pretty in favor of the homeowner. I guess it follows a "Castle Doctrine", which emphasizes self-defense in your dwelling, including a no-retreat obligation and a presumption of threat when someone forcefully enters your home. So that's good to know. Obviously, I would never use deadly force unless I see a weapon that is about to be engaged. Otherwise, I would probably have the barrel pointed at them and call the police. Any thoughts on your escalation of force process? Thanks again.

Indiana has some great self-defense / home defense laws on their books. I can blast any home intruders, even if they did not BREAK in. Just illegal entry is enough.

We also cannot be sued in civil court for legal self-defense uses. The cases get dismissed and the dummies have to pay double or triple the legal fees for the person they're trying to sue.

I just need to get out of Indianapolis' garbage Marion County. It's the only county in the state in which I do NOT want to reside.

Do some Googling and look for 2A defense lawyers and see if they offer seminars / classes. I took one in March with Guy Relford. He represented Elijah Dickens, the Hero Of The Greenwood Park Mall shooting a few years ago. Time very well-spent.

In our goofy legal climate, you really need to inform yourself.

Last sentence is money. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^