Florida legal term
Deadly force in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Deadly force” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.
What does “Deadly force” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Deadly force” means force which would likely cause death or serious bodily injury. (Fla. Stat. § 944.105)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.