Online Sunshine Logo

Skip to Menu | Skip to Main Content

Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature
June 16, 2026
Text: 'NEW Advanced Legislative Search'
Interpreter Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Finding Florida Grades K-5
Life as a Lawmaker Grades 6+
Select Year:  
The Florida Statutes

The 2000 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES
Chapter 776
Justifiable Use Of Force
View Entire Chapter
Section 776.012, Florida Statutes 2000

776.012  Use of force in defense of person.--A person is justified in the use of force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, the person is justified in the use of deadly force only if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

History.--s. 13, ch. 74-383; s. 1188, ch. 97-102.