Edmond, OK asked in Personal Injury and Criminal Law for Arizona

Q: Homeless people keep trespassing in our yard. How much force can I use in defence of my home?

They jump two walls to do so. The first wall is brick only 4ft high and we don't own it. It's also next to a small strip of stores by the main road. The second wall is a old 7ft wood fence. I carry a shovel every time I confront somebody in my yard. Never had a gun pulled on me, but people's pulled knives before. What happens if I seriously hurt someone?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: You need to speak with your town police to find out. You are best off calling them when the person trespasses. If you confront the person you may only use force if attacked and even then it is graduated by what the trespasser is doing.

Another thought might be a dog if you like animals.

Not sure how they get over a 7' high fence. mabye plant some really thorny plants that side of the fence at the bottom?

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