Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 780 / Act 309 of 2006
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.974 (2026)

Right to use deadly force; effect of act on common law.

✓ current as of July 2026
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SELF-DEFENSE ACT


Act 309 of 2006


780.974 Right to use deadly force; effect of act on common law.

Sec. 4.

    This act does not diminish an individual's right to use deadly force or force other than deadly force in self-defense or defense of another individual as provided by the common law of this state in existence on October 1, 2006.

History: 2006, Act 309, Eff. Oct. 1, 2006

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases (15 in the last 5 years), 2012–2026 · leading case: People v. Guajardo, 832 N.W.2d 409 (Mich. Ct. App. 2013).
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People v. Guajardo, 832 N.W.2d 409 (Mich. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “” MCL 780.974 (emphasis added). Thus, in order to resolve whether a felon in possession of a firearm is precluded from asserting self-defense under the SDA, we must proceed by examining the scope of an individual’s right to assert self-defense at common law.”
People v. Moreno, 814 N.W.2d 624 (Mich. 2012). · cites it 2× “973 and MCL 780.974, which explicitly clarify that certain other aspects of the common law relating to self-defense were not abrogated.”
People Of Mi V Micheline Nicole Leffew (Mich. 2022). · cites it 2× “Section 4 of the act, MCL 780.974, specifically preserves the common-law right of an individual to use force in self-defense or in defense of another person, and § 2, MCL 780.”
People of Michigan v. Eric Arlington Ogilvie (Mich. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “973, MCL 780.974. The related jury instructions for the same topics follow the law as stated in the SDA.”
People of Michigan v. Eric Arlington Ogilvie (Mich. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “973, MCL 780.974. The related jury instructions for the same topics follow the law as stated in the SDA.”
People of Michigan v. Micheline Nicole Leffew (Mich. 2022). · cites it 2× “Section 4 of the act, MCL 780.974, specifically preserves the common-law right of an individual to use force in self-defense or in defense of another person, and § 2, MCL 780.”
People of Michigan v. Jeremiah James Leffew (Mich. 2022). · cites it 2× “Section 4 of the act, MCL 780.974, specifically preserves the common-law right of an individual to use force in self-defense or in defense of another person, and § 2, MCL 780.”
People Of Mi V Kerriion Antonio Pope (Mich. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “] The Court in Leffew noted that the defense was available as to at least some non-assaultive crimes, holding that “[t]he applicability of the defense must be determined on the particular facts of each case, not the charges the prosecution brings.” Id. at ___; slip op at 14. The…”
In re: Collin Casciano v. (6th Cir. 2016). “Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 780.974 (West 2006).”
People of Michigan v. Saad Akram Bahoda (Mich. Ct. App. 2016). “Here, defendant was engaged in the commission of a crime: he had a pocketknife concealed on or about his person, which was used as a dangerous weapon (CCW), MCL 750.”
People of Michigan v. Trahuan Shindell Robinson (Mich. Ct. App. 2016). “” MCL 780.974. At common law, self-defense justified the killing of another person if the accused honestly and reasonably believed that his life or the life of another person was in imminent danger or that there was a threat of serious bodily harm.”
People of Michigan v. Charla Rochelle Wilburn (Mich. Ct. App. 2019). “” MCL 780.974. 4 This was even before Gabrielle approached her own vehicle after Omar smashed the windshield.”
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