Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-609
This is the official text of Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-609, part of Arkansas’s Code Ann — part of the compiled statutory law of Arkansas, published by the state as "Code Ann." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Use of physical force in defense of property
Official statutory text
A person is justified in using nondeadly physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person's: (1) Commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief; or (2) Subsequent flight from the commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 509; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-509; Acts 2003, No. 1090, § 1.
A person is justified in using nondeadly physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person's:
(1) Commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief; or
(2) Subsequent flight from the commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief.
Acts 1975, No. 280, § 509; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-509; Acts 2003, No. 1090, § 1.
A person is justified in using nondeadly physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person's:
(1) Commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief; or
(2) Subsequent flight from the commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief.
Acts 1975, No. 280, § 509; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-509; Acts 2003, No. 1090, § 1.
Status: in_force
Need a lawyer in Arkansas?
Find a Arkansas lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.