noun
A
doctrine in criminal law found in some jurisdictions requiring that, unless at
home, at his or her place of business, or in a situation where the assailant is
a person the victim is attempting to arrest, the victim in a murderous assault
must attempt to retreat safely rather than resorting to using deadly force in
self-defense. In tort law, failure to exercise retreat may result in
liabilityÂ’s being attached to the party who could have retreated.