Why you should LOCK YOUR DOORS

I live in the country; I don't need to lock my doors.

I live in a safe neighborhood so I don't need to lock my doors.

I lock my doors! But, I hide the key under the door mat. The word "hide"... really?

Locking your doors reduces your risk for potential physical harm or death. But, what about reducing legal risks?

Locked doors compels a person committing an unlawful entry to forcefully enter. It establishes an intent from someone who means harm from someone who may have innocently walked in.

Example:

A locked door would force the thief to kick in your door. A defense of "I was invited in" will most likely not hold up in court.

A locked door would prevent an innocent person from mistakenly entering your home: Like, the cable guy with permission to enter a home for repairs but, accidentally went to the the wrong address.

Legal Benefits of Locked Doors:

Please note, for the purpose of this post, only parts of Oklahoma statue 1289.25 are mentioned and paraphrased. Please read the full statue for complete understanding. See the reference below.

Two required conditions set in motion your legal presumption of reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.

B. 1. a. The person against whom defensive force was used was or had unlawfully and forcefully entered....

b. The person who uses defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry act was or had occurred....

E. A person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter is presumed to be doing so with intent to do harm...

F. A person who uses defensive force ...(must meet conditions)...is justified in using such defensive force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action from the use of such defensive force.

2018 Self-Defense Act Handbook, Oklahoma Title 21§ 1289.25 Physical and Deadly Force against Intruder, page 41-43.

Thank you for reading, and did I mention, Lock your Doors.

Learn to be safe,

Sally

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