Legal Definitions - domestic authority

Domestic authority refers to the legal power given to a person responsible for another individual, such as a parent responsible for a child, to use nondeadly force when it is reasonably necessary to protect the person being cared for.

For example, if a parent sees their child about to run into a busy street, they have the domestic authority to use nondeadly force, such as grabbing their child's arm, to prevent them from being hit by a car. Similarly, if a caregiver sees their elderly patient about to fall, they can use nondeadly force to prevent the fall and protect the patient.

It is important to note that domestic authority only allows for the use of nondeadly force and only when it is reasonably necessary to protect the person being cared for. Any use of force beyond what is necessary or the use of deadly force is not protected under domestic authority.