Texas homeowners receive stern warnings from legal experts following Governor Greg Abbott’s remarks suggesting the castle doctrine allows the use of force against squatters. While Abbott clarifies that squatters violate state laws, attorneys emphasize that deadly force is only justified in specific, life-threatening situations, challenging misconceptions about self-defense rights in the state.
Experts point out that while the Texas castle doctrine permits homeowners to defend their property, it does not allow for reckless aggression. If homeowners provoke a confrontation with squatters they know are present, they risk losing their right to defend themselves legally. As laws surrounding squatting evolve in Texas and beyond, individuals are urged to understand the legal risks of using force against trespassers.
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