Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law Is Being Called Into Question by The Recent Events Surrounding the Trayvon Martin Death

Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law is being called into question by the recent events surrounding the Trayvon Martin death. Florida Statute chapter 776 defines the use of force. In general it means, a person may use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first. In some cases, a person may use deadly force in public areas without a duty to retreat. The question in the Trayvon Martin case is did the shooter have a reasonable belief the violence was imminent before he shot Trayvon Martin. The answer is now in the hands of Duval County State Attorney Angela Corey. She has the option of taking the case to the grand jury, filing charges against the shooter, or declining to file charges. Only time will tell.