Senate Bill 1730, recently passed by the Texas Senate, seeks to bolster protections for individuals who lawfully use force or deadly force in self-defense. The bill would prevent civil lawsuits if no criminal charges were filed, dismissed, or if the defendant was acquitted.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE
AUSTIN, TX (3-minute read) — Texans who lawfully defend themselves with force or deadly force may soon receive stronger legal protections from civil lawsuits. On Monday, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 1730, introduced by State Senator Bob Hall (R–Edgewood), by a 26-3-2 vote.
The bill’s primary objective is to shield individuals who’ve been cleared in criminal court—either through a grand jury decision, dismissal of charges, or acquittal—from being sued for damages in civil court. If passed into law, SB 1730 would also require claimants who file such lawsuits, and are deemed ineligible under the bill’s provisions, to pay the defendant’s court costs and legal fees.
Enhanced Castle Doctrine Protections in Texas
Texas already has a strong Castle Doctrine, allowing individuals to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves in their homes or on their property. However, Senator Hall argued that even those whose actions are deemed lawful in criminal court can face expensive and emotionally taxing civil lawsuits.
“There are people in Texas who have had to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending themselves in civil court—even after no criminal wrongdoing was found,” Hall noted. One high-profile example is Kyle Carruth, who had to settle a wrongful death civil suit after a grand jury chose not to indict him for a 2021 shooting.
Opponents argue that current civil codes already provide some protections. However, supporters like Hall believe existing laws are insufficient, especially when it comes to individuals never indicted but still dragged into courtrooms.
A similar proposal, House Bill 170, is being reviewed in the Texas House. Filed by Rep. Ryan Guillen (R–Rio Grande City), HB 170 mirrors SB 1730 by aiming to block civil suits following non-indictment or dismissal in justified use-of-force situations.
Both bills represent a continued push in Texas to reinforce the legal and financial rights of individuals who lawfully defend themselves—a stance that resonates with the state’s broader commitment to the right of self-defense.
Safety Tip: If you carry a firearm for self-defense, familiarize yourself with both criminal and civil liabilities in your state. Even lawful defensive actions can have legal consequences if you’re not fully informed.
Read the full article here