Florida’s deadly force law, also called “stand your ground”, was passed in 2005. It allows individuals to meet “force with force” if they believe they or someone else is in danger of being seriously harmed by an assailant.
This is part of Florida statutes regarding justifiable use of force and states that use of deadly force is justifiable under the presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm.
When can you use deadly force in Florida?
It specifically notes that “a person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony”.
How can David Williams Law Firm can help with Stand Your Ground charges
Our criminal defense law team in Fort Lauderdale is available to discuss potential issues that you might face in court due to this legislation and to help with legal advice and representation.