Faced with a sudden threat, fear can take control faster than reason. In a dangerous moment, you do not have time to debate the best response — you act to protect yourself or someone you love.
Florida’s Stand Your Ground law recognizes that reality. A recent case in Bradenton shows how this law can protect someone who used force in self-defense, even when the situation turned violent and messy.
Understanding how the defense worked
Kevin Armstrong was accused of aggravated assault after a gunfight that injured both him and his girlfriend. But the judge dismissed the charges under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, finding that Armstrong’s fear of harm was reasonable.
The judge even noted that while Armstrong’s actions were not the “wisest,” the law does not require perfection. Rather, the key requirement is that a person reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to avoid being killed or severely injured.
Armstrong said two men had threatened to kill him and later showed up armed outside his home. When he fired a warning shot, they returned fire.
The judge ruled that because Armstrong was in his home and faced armed aggressors, his decision to defend himself met the legal standard for immunity.
What this means in criminal charges
If someone accused you of a violent crime after acting in self-defense, you may feel as if your life is over before the trial even starts. But Florida’s Stand Your Ground law may give you immunity from prosecution when the facts show you had a lawful right to protect yourself.
A Stand Your Ground motion may apply if:
- You were in a place you had a legal right to be, such as your home or vehicle.
- You reasonably believed you were in imminent danger of death or serious injury.
- You used or threatened force only to prevent that danger.
- You did not provoke the confrontation or continue using force after the threat ended.
Even when you believe you acted to survive, proving it under Florida law takes skill and preparation.
Protecting your future
Every self-defense case turns on its facts, and judges do not take these motions lightly. If you are facing charges after defending yourself or someone else, talk to a defense lawyer who understands how Stand Your Ground works — and how to use it to protect your rights and your future.