Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-605: Use of physical force generally

The use upon another person of physical force that would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable under any of the following circumstances: (1) A parent, school employee, guardian, or other person entrusted with care and supervision of a minor or an incompetent person may use reasonable and appropriate physical force upon the minor or incompetent person when and to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain discipline or to promote the welfare of the minor or incompetent person or if the parent, school employee, guardian, or other person entrusted with care and supervision of the minor or the incompetent person is authorized by § 5-2-606 to use physical force on the minor or incompetent person; (2) A warden or other authorized official of a correctional facility may use nondeadly physical force to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain order and discipline; (3) A person responsible for the maintenance of order in a common carrier or a person acting under the responsible person's direction may use nondeadly physical force to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain order; (4) A person who reasonably believes that another person is about to commit suicide or to inflict serious physical injury upon himself or herself may use nondeadly physical force upon the other person to the extent reasonably necessary to thwart the suicide or infliction of serious physical injury; (5) A duly licensed physician or a person assisting a duly licensed physician at the duly licensed physician's direction may use physical force for the purpose of administering a recognized form of treatment reasonably adapted to promoting the physical or mental health of a patient if the treatment is administered: (A) With the consent of the patient or, if the patient is a minor who is unable to appreciate or understand the nature or possible consequences of the proposed medical treatment or is an incompetent person, with the consent of a parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the patient's care and supervision; or (B) In an emergency when the duly licensed physician reasonably believes that no person competent to consent can be consulted and that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent. Amended by Act 2023, No. 165,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 505; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-505; Acts 2007, No. 827, § 12.

The use upon another person of physical force that would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable under any of the following circumstances:

(1) A parent, school employee, guardian, or other person entrusted with care and supervision of a minor or an incompetent person may use reasonable and appropriate physical force upon the minor or incompetent person when and to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain discipline or to promote the welfare of the minor or incompetent person or if the parent, school employee, guardian, or other person entrusted with care and supervision of the minor or the incompetent person is authorized by § 5-2-606 to use physical force on the minor or incompetent person;

(2) A warden or other authorized official of a correctional facility may use nondeadly physical force to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain order and discipline;

(3) A person responsible for the maintenance of order in a common carrier or a person acting under the responsible person's direction may use nondeadly physical force to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain order;

(4) A person who reasonably believes that another person is about to commit suicide or to inflict serious physical injury upon himself or herself may use nondeadly physical force upon the other person to the extent reasonably necessary to thwart the suicide or infliction of serious physical injury;

's direction may use nondeadly physical force to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain order;

(4) A person who reasonably believes that another person is about to commit suicide or to inflict serious physical injury upon himself or herself may use nondeadly physical force upon the other person to the extent reasonably necessary to thwart the suicide or infliction of serious physical injury;

(5) A duly licensed physician or a person assisting a duly licensed physician at the duly licensed physician's direction may use physical force for the purpose of administering a recognized form of treatment reasonably adapted to promoting the physical or mental health of a patient if the treatment is administered: (A) With the consent of the patient or, if the patient is a minor who is unable to appreciate or understand the nature or possible consequences of the proposed medical treatment or is an incompetent person, with the consent of a parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the patient's care and supervision; or (B) In an emergency when the duly licensed physician reasonably believes that no person competent to consent can be consulted and that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent.

(A) With the consent of the patient or, if the patient is a minor who is unable to appreciate or understand the nature or possible consequences of the proposed medical treatment or is an incompetent person, with the consent of a parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the patient's care and supervision; or

(B) In an emergency when the duly licensed physician reasonably believes that no person competent to consent can be consulted and that a reasonable person, wishing to safeguard the welfare of the patient, would consent.