Westin Stand Your Ground/Forcible Felony Lawyer
Using physical force against, and causing harm to, another person is against the law in most scenarios. Assault, battery, and homicide are all serious crimes. However, when violence or the threat of violence is used in the form of self-defense, it is entirely within Florida’s stand your ground law, which enables people to use force against another in order to protect themselves, their property, or another person. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense for laying hands on another person, or causing serious harm to another person, yet you only did so in self-defense, we can help you beat the charges against you. The Westin Stand Your Ground lawyer here at Haber | Blank LLP knows how to use Florida’s robust self-defense law to protect our clients and keep them from being punished for offenses they did not commit.
What the Law Says About Self Defense
Florida’s stand your ground law justifies the use, or threat, of force and deadly force in two different scenarios. The use of non-deadly force is legal when you have reason to believe that force is necessary to defend yourself or another “against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force.” Deadly force is justified if you have reason to believe that said force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to yourself or another person, “or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.”
You Do Not Have to Retreat Before Using Force
Many states, including Florida, have adopted so-called stand your ground laws, which differ from traditional self-defense laws in that they do not require an individual to retreat, whether they are in their home or in a public place, before using force or deadly force against another. However, if you are engaged in a criminal activity or are in a place where you have a right to be, this law does not apply.
Using Deadly Force to Prevent a Forcible Felony
Floridians are within their rights to use deadly force in order to prevent the commission of a forcible felony, whether they or another person are the victims of said imminent crime. Forcible felonies include, though are not limited to, the following:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated stalking
- Sexual battery
- Carjacking
- Home-invasion
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Arson
- Kidnapping
- Aircraft piracy
- Any other violent crime
Call a Westin Stand Your Ground/Forcible Felony Lawyer Today
Florida’s stand your ground law is an effective defense against assault, battery, and other criminal offenses when there is evidence that the defendant used said force in order to protect themselves or another. You should not be punished for using self-defense. However, if you were arrested, the position you are currently in is incredibly precarious. You could face jail or prison time if convicted. To protect your rights, we encourage you to contact our Westin Stand Your Ground lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.
