New Hampshire
How Courvoisier v. Raymond applies in New Hampshire: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Other.
In New Hampshire, the principles from Courvoisier v. Raymond, particularly regarding self-defense and the use of force, are applied within the context of reasonable belief and proportionality. New Hampshire recognizes the duty to retreat in certain circumstances, which can influence the application of the stand-your-ground principles established in Courvoisier.
In New Hampshire, a defendant may claim self-defense if they reasonably believe that such force is necessary to prevent imminent harm, but the force used must be proportionate to the perceived threat.
The court held that a defendant’s belief about the need to use force must be objectively reasonable in light of the circumstances.
This case reiterated that a perceived threat must be evaluated based on the facts known to the defendant at the time of the encounter.
Federal law also recognizes self-defense as a justification for the use of force, but it often permits a broader application of this principle without a duty to retreat in many jurisdictions. In contrast, New Hampshire's requirement of proportionality and consideration of retreat in certain situations narrows the application compared to some federal interpretations.
The principles of self-defense from Courvoisier are relevant for the New Hampshire bar exam, particularly in distinguishing between justified use of force and excessive force.