# Alaska Stat. § 11.81.330: Justification: Use of nondeadly force in defense of self

> Alaska · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.330

## Section

- **Citation:** Alaska Stat. § 11.81.330
- **Heading:** Justification: Use of nondeadly force in defense of self
- **Jurisdiction:** Alaska
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AK Code / Title 11 / Chapter 11.81 / Section 11.81.330

## Text

(a) A person is justified in using nondeadly force upon another when and to the extent the person reasonably believes it is necessary for self-defense against what the person reasonably believes to be the use of unlawful force by the other person, unless (1) the person used the force in mutual combat not authorized by law;

(2) the person claiming self-defense provoked the other's conduct with intent to cause physical injury to the other;

(3) the person claiming self-defense was the initial aggressor; or

(4) the force used was the result of using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument the person claiming self-defense possessed while (A) acting alone or with others to further a felony criminal objective of the person or one or more other persons;

(B) a participant in a felony transaction or purported transaction or in immediate flight from a felony transaction or purported transaction in violation of AS 11.71 ; or

(C) acting alone or with others in revenge for, retaliation for, or response to actual or perceived conduct by a rival or perceived rival, or a member or perceived member of a rival group, if the person using deadly force, or the group on whose behalf the person is acting, has a history or reputation for violence among civilians.

(b) A person who is not justified in using force in self-defense in the circumstances listed in (a)(1) — (3) of this section is justified in using force in self-defense if that person has withdrawn from the encounter and effectively communicated the withdrawal to the other person, but the other person persists in continuing the incident by the use of unlawful force.

## Nearby sections

- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.100 General purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.100.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.200 Effect of amendment or repeal of criminal statutes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.200.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.210 Limitation on applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.210.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.220 All offenses defined by statute.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.220.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.250 Classification of offenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.250.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.300 Justification: Defense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.300.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.320 Justification: Necessity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.320.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.330 Justification: Use of nondeadly force in defense of self.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.330.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.335 Justification: Use of deadly force in defense of self.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.335.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.340 Justification: Use of force in defense of a third person.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.340.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.350 Justification: Use of force in defense of property and premises.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.350.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.370 Justification: Use of force by a peace officer in making an arrest or terminating an escape.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.370.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.380 Justification: Use of force by private person assisting an arrest or terminating an escape.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.380.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 11.81.390 Use of force by a private person in making arrest or terminating an escape.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.390.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T11_C11.81_S11.81.330. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.