Florida's NEW Self-Defense Law ???

[David]

I remember hearing a while ago that a new Florida self-defense law (the "Castle Doctrine Law" ?) was to take effect in September 2005.

Is the NEW Florida "Castle Doctrine" law currently in effect?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Yes

 

[AirForceShooter]

awesome isn't it??
Your house is a free fire zone.

AFS

 

[Janitor]

As it should be. After all - it's your house.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I thought Florida had always had a castle doctrine. My understanding was that this expanded the definition of your castle to include your car or anywhere else you might be, including your "personal space" when in the mall or anywhere else.

Dunno, I'm in Texas so I didn't read it too closely, disclaimers etc....

 

[joab]

Don't know if it was called a Castle Doctrine before, but the constitution instructs prosecutors to "Liberally construe the laws in favor of the home owner"

The new and improved Castle doctrine, which extends your rights to free movement without fear of molestation to anywhere you have a legal right to be, goes into effect 1 Oct, 2005

It also gives immunity from civil penalties if your actions are deemed righteous

Latinos at risk

The Shoot-First State

Shoot If You're Threatened Anywhere in Florida

"a good, commonsense, anti-crime issue".

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I thought the new law took effect October 1, but in any case it is NOT a "castle doctine" law. Florida already had a castle doctrine in effect.

The change in Florida, whenever it did or does become effective, is that OUTSIDE of your home you no longer have a "duty to retreat" before you can legitimately employ deadly/lethal force in self-defense. The old Florida law, like that of many other states, requires that EXCEPT WITHIN YOUR HOME you had to retreat from a threat if you could do so safely, and only if you could not safely retreat were you allowed to use deadly force in self-defense.

The new law removes the requirement to retreat as a prerequisite to the use of deadly force in self-defense. This has nothing to do with "castle doctrine," since the new law specifically addresses situations outside of and away from the home.

 

[scout26]

Any law that makes both the Washingate Pest and the Guardian (UK) get all huffy and soil themselves is a good law.

 

[mbs357]

Does this mean I can finally target practice in my living room while watching the Simpsons?

 

[feedthehogs]

Texassig has the correct information and it goes into effect Oct 1.

 

[CZ-100]

The new law goes into effect October 1, 2005.

Here is the bill as it was passed. Link

 

[Nehemiah Scudder]

So are they expecting "bad shoot" trials to go up or down?

Seems like it would just make things murkier outside the house.

 

[AirForceShooter]

and out side the house there will probably be witnesses.
That's going to screw everything up. Wirnesses are so unreliable.

AFS