Can you claim self-defense against domestic abuse charges?

If you face charges for violence against another person, you may feel overwhelmed by the system. Fighting back against someone who wants to cause you harm is all you can do, yet you may find that you still face charges. The other person can claim that you assaulted him or her first. In more severe cases, deadly force may cause law enforcement to question who committed the first violent act.

According to the Florida Statutes, you have a right to use force to defend yourself under various circumstances.

What is self-defense?

If you believe that you are under unlawful force or if someone threatens you with force, you can threaten force in return or act out violently to protect yourself from harm. You do not have a duty to retreat in this instance. However, you cannot use deadly force if you do not face deadly force yourself.

What is self-defense using deadly force?

When it comes to deadly force, you must believe that the other person could cause you great bodily harm or death. You do not have to retreat and instead can stand your ground against the person threatening you. If deadly force saves your life or keeps you out of harm’s way, you can use it. You can also threaten to use deadly force to deter someone from using force against you.

When it comes to self-defense, you have every right to stop a forcible felony from occurring. In Florida, you do not have to run from danger but can protect yourself.