criminal-law florida self-defense
Deadly force allowed during a forcible felony in Florida?
<p>You are at a stop light and see a person with a firearm run up to the car in front of you. They attempt to open the door and see a struggle begin as the door opens. You are absolutely sure this is a car jacking in progress. You happen to have your legal firearm with you. Are you allowed to use deadly force in order to stop the assailant? </p>

<p>Yes. You are allowed to use deadly force in defense of another in this situation. The following sections of the Florida Statutes authorize the use of deadly force in this situation:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>776.012 Use or threatened use of force in defense of person.—</p>
  
  <p>(1) A person is justified in using or threatening to use 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 the other’s imminent use of unlawful
  force. A person who uses or threatens to use force in accordance with
  this subsection does not have a duty to retreat before using or
  threatening to use such force.</p>
  
  <p>(2) <strong>A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force
  if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such
  force is necessary</strong> to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to
  himself or herself or another or <strong>to prevent the imminent commission of
  a forcible felony.</strong> A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force
  in accordance with this subsection does not have a duty to retreat and
  has the right to stand his or her ground if the person using or
  threatening to use the deadly force is not engaged in a criminal
  activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>A forcible felony is defined as follows:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>776.08 Forcible felony.</p>
  
  <p>“Forcible felony” means treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery;
  <strong>carjacking</strong>; home-invasion robbery; <strong>robbery</strong>; burglary; arson;
  kidnapping; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; aggravated
  stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging
  of a destructive device or bomb; and any other felony which involves
  the use or threat of physical force or violence against any
  individual.</p>
</blockquote>
