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Self-Defense Laws in Massachusetts

Whether Massachusetts has a duty to retreat or a stand your ground law, and how the castle doctrine applies at home.

Short answer: In the prosecution of a person who was an occupant of a dwelling for killing or injuring another person who was unlawfully in the dwelling, 'it shall be a defense that the occupant was in his dwelling at the time of the offense' and acted in the reasonable belief that the person… G.L. c. 278, § 8A

Castle doctrine (defending your home)In the prosecution of a person who was an occupant of a dwelling for killing or injuring another person who was unlawfully in the dwelling, 'it shall be a defense that the occupant was in his dwelling at the time of the offense' and acted in the reasonable belief that the person unlawfully in the dwelling was about to inflict great bodily injury or death upon the occupant or another person lawfully in the dwelling, and that the occupant used reasonable means to defend himself or such other person. 'There shall be no duty on said occupant to retreat from such person unlawfully in said dwelling.'
Source: G.L. c. 278, § 8A

More Massachusetts criminal law

FAQ

Does Massachusetts have a castle doctrine?
In the prosecution of a person who was an occupant of a dwelling for killing or injuring another person who was unlawfully in the dwelling, 'it shall be a defense that the occupant was in his dwelling at the time of the offense' and acted in the reasonable belief that the person unlawfully in the dwelling was about to inflict great bodily injury or death upon the occupant or another person lawfully in the dwelling, and that the occupant used reasonable means to defend himself or such other person. 'There shall be no duty on said occupant to retreat from such person unlawfully in said dwelling.'

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.