July 23, 2013
In the wake of the jury verdict in the Trayvon Martin homicide case, many of you have asked if Connecticut law allows for "Stand Your Ground," or (SYG) and if not, why Connecticut appears on some lists of states with "Stand Your Ground" laws.
The lists are in error.
Connecticut statutes do not include "Stand Your Ground" language, but do include the Castle Doctrine. There have been attempts to adopt "SYG" laws but they have not been supported by the legislature's Judiciary Committee.
The Castle Doctrine - protecting your home - is codified in Connecticut law, not "Stand Your Ground."
Our nonpartisan staff researched this topic last year.