Dueling Laws (Still on Books) by State
Whether the state's dueling-specific statute has been repealed, the actual punishment if convicted under dueling or assault law, and whether conviction disqualifies a person from public office.
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| Status of Dueling Statute | Punishment | Office Disqualification |
|---|---|---|
| No | Felony | Yes |
| Yes (general assault) | Assault | No |
| Yes (general assault) | Assault | No |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| No | Class 4 felony | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Class A misd. | Yes |
| No | Felony | No |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Felony | No |
| No | Class 4 felony | Yes |
| No | Misdemeanor | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Misdemeanor | Yes |
| No | Misdemeanor | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Misdemeanor | No |
| No | 20 yr prison | Yes |
| No | Up to 15 yrs | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Felony | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Up to 30 yrs | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Class E felony | No |
| No | Class H felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Up to 7 yrs | Yes |
| No | Felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Class C felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Up to 10 yrs | Yes |
| No | Class 6 felony | Yes |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | 1-10 yrs | Yes |
| No | Class I felony | No |
| Repealed | Assault | No |
| No | Up to 10 yrs | No |
Even where dueling-specific statutes are repealed, conduct constituting a duel is prosecuted under general assault, attempted murder, or homicide statutes. Several state constitutions (e.g., Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia) still bar persons who have fought a duel from holding public office. The 1839 federal anti-dueling law (DC) was repealed in 2009.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.