Florida Criminal Law: Self Defense - Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney:
A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
- It is reasonably believed that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony (i.e. Robbery).
- It is being used against a person who is unlawfully and forcefully breaking in, or has unlawfully and forcibly broken into a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle.
Florida self-defense law post-“Stand your ground”/castle doctrine changes in 2005.