Representative Chuck Hopson Applauds Governor for Signing ‘Castle Doctrine’ Bill
From the Office of Representative Chuck Hopson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel Mahoney
Phone: 866-233-5100
AUSTIN - Representative Chuck Hopson was glad to see that Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill into law Tuesday that gives Texans a stronger legal right to defend themselves using deadly force in their homes, cars and workplaces.
With the support of Representative Hopson, Senate Bill 378 or the ‘Castle Doctrine’, passed in both chambers of the legislature overwhelmingly earlier this month. The bill states that a person has no duty to retreat from an intruder before using deadly force.
“The right to defend yourself and your family from harm should be clearly defined and the law should be easy to interpret,” Hopson said. “This is the first bill Governor Perry has signed this session and it is a good one to start with.”
The bill is being referred to as the “castle doctrine,” drawing from the idea that a man’s home is his castle and that he should have the right to defend it. A building or vehicle must be occupied at the time for the deadly force provision to apply, and the person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity at the time.
The new law will also provide civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in any of the circumstances spelled out in the bill. Police and prosecutors can still press charges if they feel deadly force was illegally used, legislative sponsors said.
Please contact our offices at 1-866-233-5100 or 512-463-0592 should you have any questions or concerns regarding issues or a particular piece of legislation.
