Iowa Code » Chapter 704 — FORCE — REASONABLE OR DEADLY — DEFENSES
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 704.3 (2026)

Defense of self or another

✓ current as of July 2026
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A person is justified in the use of reasonable force when the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend oneself or another from any actual or imminent use of unlawful force. [C51, §2773 – 2775; R60, §4442 – 4444; C73, §4112 – 4114; C97, §5102 – 5104; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12921 – 12923; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §691.1, 691.2(1), 691.3; C79, 81, §704.3] 2017 Acts, ch 69, §41 Referred to in §236.12

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 83 cases (30 in the last 5 years), 1981–2026 · leading case: State v. Shanahan, 712 N.W.2d 121 (Iowa 2006).
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State v. Shanahan, 712 N.W.2d 121 (Iowa 2006). · cites it 4× “*142 Iowa Code § 704.3 . The legislature did not define the word “imminent” as used in this section of the Code.”
State v. Ceaser, 585 N.W.2d 192 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 8× “See Iowa Code §§ 704.3 , 711.1(1). The court denied this request, holding in part that there was not substantial evidence to support the instruction.”
State of Iowa v. Denise Leone Frei, 831 N.W.2d 70 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 704.3 . “Reasonable force” is defined as that force and no more which a reasonable person, in like circumstances, would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury or loss and can include deadly force if it is reasonable to believe that such force is necessary to…”
State of Iowa v. Antoine Tyree Williams, 929 N.W.2d 621 (Iowa 2019). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code section 704.3 provided, "A person is justified in the use of reasonable force when the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend oneself or another from any actual or imminent use of unlawful force.”
State v. Snodgrass, 346 N.W.2d 472 (Iowa 1984). · cites it 6× “However, they both asserted, in agreement, that the shooting was either in self-defense or in defense of a third person, and thus was a justifiable killing under Iowa Code section 704.3. Defendant and Hood made objections during trial that the trial of each should be severed…”
State v. Wagner, 410 N.W.2d 207 (Iowa 1987). · cites it 4× “Wagner’s contention is apparently based on Iowa Code § 704.3 : A person is justified in the use of reasonable force when he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend himself or herself or another from any imminent use of unlawful force.”
State v. Dunson, 433 N.W.2d 676 (Iowa 1988). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code §§ 704.3 , 704.6. For example, the evidence gave credence to Dunson’s belief that he was, at the earlier time, in imminent danger of serious injury.”
Rhiner v. City of Clive, 373 N.W.2d 466 (Iowa 1985). · cites it 6× “Rhiner objected to this instruction on the grounds that it should be corrected to “bring it into line” with 1979 Iowa Code section 704.3 and that the jury should be instructed they could find that “Bob Olson and Tammy Cave both operated under section 704.”
State v. Delay, 320 N.W.2d 831 (Iowa 1982). · cites it 3× “” § 704.3, The Code 1979. The only possible evidence that unlawful force was used against defendant was deputy Redlinger’s testimony that he “grabbed” defendant by the shoulder, and *835 the testimony of defendant and his passengers that the same officer grabbed defendant by the…”
State v. Bedard, 668 N.W.2d 598 (Iowa 2003). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 704.3 . “Reasonable force” is defined by statute as follows: “Reasonable force ” is that force and no more which a reasonable person, in like circumstances, would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury or loss and can include deadly force if it is reasonable to…”
State v. Rubino, 602 N.W.2d 558 (Iowa 1999). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 704.3 . When the defense is raised, the burden rests upon the State to prove— beyond a reasonable doubt — that the alleged justification did not exist.”
State v. Begey, 672 N.W.2d 747 (Iowa 2003). · cites it 2× “Under Iowa Code section 704.3, [a] person is justified in the use of reasonable force when the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend oneself or another from any imminent use of unlawful force.”
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