This document summarizes Connecticut General Statute 53a-18 regarding the use of reasonable physical force. It outlines six circumstances where the use of reasonable force is justifiable: 1) by parents/guardians of minors/incompetent persons to maintain discipline or welfare; 2) by correctional institution officials to maintain order; 3) by carriers/transportation officials to maintain order or prevent injury; 4) to prevent suicide or self-harm; 5) for medical treatment with consent or in emergencies; and 6) by teachers to protect themselves/others, obtain dangerous items, protect property, or maintain order.

1. Connecticut General
Statute 53a-18, Use of
Reasonable Physical
Force
Gregory L. Riley, Sr.
Adjunct Instructor
Criminal Justice
Norwalk Community
College
Norwalk, CT

2. What is Reasonable
Force?
Reasonable force to
protect oneself or
members of the family
from bodily harm from
the attack of an
aggressor, if the defender
has reason to believe
he/she/they is/are in
danger.

3. Sec. 53a-18, Use of Reasonable Force
The use of physical force upon another person which would otherwise
constitute an offense is justifiable and not criminal under any of the
following circumstances:
(1) A parent, guardian or other person entrusted with the care and
supervision of a minor or an incompetent person, except a person
entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor for school purposes
as described in subdivision (6) of this section, may use reasonable
physical force upon such minor or incompetent person when and to the
extent that he reasonably believes such to be necessary to maintain
discipline or to promote the welfare of such minor or incompetent
person.

4. (2) An authorized official
of a correctional
institution or facility may,
in order to maintain
order and discipline, use
such physical force as is
reasonable and
authorized by the rules
and regulations of the
Department of
Correction.

5. What is a Common
Carrier?
(3) A person responsible for the
maintenance of order in a common
carrier or passengers, or a person
acting under his direction, uses
reasonable physical force to the
extent that he reasonably believes it
to be necessary to maintain order,
but deadly physical force may only
be used when he reasonably
believes it to be necessary to
prevent death or serious physical
injury.

6. Thwart Attempted Suicide
(4) A person acting under
a reasonable belief that
another person is about
to commit suicide or to
inflict serious physical
injury upon himself uses
reasonable physical force
to prevent that person
from harming himself.

7. (5) A duly licensed physician or psychologist, or a person acting under direction,
uses reasonable physical force to administer a recognized form of treatment as
long as,
a. The treatment is
administered with the patient
or, if the patient is a minor or
a incompetent person, with
the consent of his parent,
guardian or other person
entrusted with his care and
supervision OR
b. Is administered in an
emergency when the physician or
psychologist reasonably believed
that no one competent to consent
can be consulted and that a
reasonable person, wishing to
safeguard the welfare of the
patient, would consent.

8. (6) A teacher or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor for school
purposes may use reasonable physical force upon such minor when and to the extent he
reasonably believes such to be necessary to
(A) protect himself or others from
immediate physical injury,
(B) obtain possession of a
dangerous instrument or
controlled substance, upon or
within the control of such minor,
(C) protect property from physical
damage or
(D) restrain such minor or remove
such minor to another area, to
maintain order.