Under what condition may deadly force be justified according to Florida law?

The justification for using deadly force under Florida law primarily hinges on a person's belief that death or great bodily harm is imminent. This concept is grounded in the principles of self-defense and defense of others, which assert that an individual may use deadly force only when they have a reasonable belief that their life or the life of someone else is in immediate danger. The key elements are the immediate threat and the perception that no other option would suffice to prevent that harm.

This legal standard emphasizes the necessity of a clear and present danger, distinguishing it from other scenarios where the use of force might be considered excessive or unnecessary. Simply feeling threatened or aiming to settle a dispute does not fulfill the threshold required for the justification of deadly force, as the law requires a credible, imminent threat to life or significant injury to warrant such an extreme response.