Murder & Stand Your Ground
Florida’s Stand Your Ground law allows a person in a public place to respond with deadly force if they are in fear for their life or great bodily injury. Justifiable use of force is set out in Florida Statute chapter 776 (specifically 776.012 and 776.032) in regards to Stand Your Ground.
Stand Your Ground changes hundreds of years of common law and statutory requirements that a person first had a duty to retreat—if they were not in their home—before using deadly force. If you establish to a judge that you may have been justified in use of deadly force, the State must prove by clear and convincing evidence that you are not immune from prosecution before proceeding to a trial.
What to Do if You’ve Been Accused
If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in Florida, don’t hesitate to contact a respected criminal defense lawyer at Avera & Smith. Whether you’ve been caught up in a domestic dispute or an altercation with a neighbor, it’s critical to start building your defense strategy as soon as possible. And it’s even more important to have the right criminal defense team on your side.