Q: If someone throws a rock at your car in florida can you legally shoot back?

In florida throwing a rock at someones car is projecting a deadly missile. My question is if someone throws something at your car in a road rage incident that can injure you or your passengers is it legal to shoot back (stand your ground law). I need professional legal advice from someone who knows FLORIDA law no opinion. Thank you.

1 Lawyer Answer
Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Hollywood, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Your question is vague as to the timing of the events, as well as the specific danger posed by the rock-thrower. You may "stand your ground" with reasonable force that is necessary for self-defense - that is, to stop an ongoing attack that may cause death or great bodily injury to you. If someone throws one rock at you, and the attack is over, there's nothing to defend against, so any force used thereafter would be a criminal act. But even taking the first example, if someone were to use a firearm against someone who's throwing rocks, the firearm user would be taking a substantial risk of being charged because the force may be viewed as unreasonable under the circumstances. The firearm user might end up beating the rap, but only after going through misery and having a public arrest record - or the firearm user may not beat the rap and be put away for a long time.

Terrence H Thorgaard agrees with this answer

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