The following is a video transcript.

You hear a noise and look out your window, only to see a hooded figure at your car, just before breaking your driver’s side window. What are the laws on defending your property when a person is breaking into your car on your property?

Use of Deadly Force

In Georgia, your vehicle is considered your “habitation,” just like your home and your place of business. You may be justified in the use of deadly force to protect your vehicle from break-in or theft if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent a felony inside your vehicle—a felony such as entering an auto, or theft. Timing in this scenario is everything: decisions of our Georgia Supreme Court have held that where there is no evidence an entry or attack on the habitation was attempted at the moment deadly force was used, the defense of habitation is not available.

For more information about your legal rights to protect your property, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Georgia Independent Program Attorney today.