Index
Self Defense & CriminalFlorida, USA

Florida 'Stand Your Ground' Law

Summary

Florida was the first state to pass a modern 'Stand Your Ground' law, eliminating the duty to retreat before using deadly force to defend yourself in any place you have a legal right to be.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    If you are attacked in a place where you are legally allowed to be (like a public street or a park), you do NOT have to try to run away before fighting back.
  • 02.
    You can use deadly force if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or the commission of a 'forcible felony' (like robbery or rape).
  • 03.
    The law provides immunity from both criminal prosecution AND civil lawsuits. If a judge rules your use of force was justified under Stand Your Ground, the police cannot even arrest you, and the attacker's family cannot sue you for wrongful death.

Penalties

  • 01.
    If you initiate the confrontation (you are the aggressor), you CANNOT claim Stand Your Ground protection unless you effectively tried to withdraw from the fight and the other person kept attacking.

Verified Citations

Florida Statutes Section 776.012

Source
"A person who is in a 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 that it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm..."