Bill > S01120

This bill amends the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and Civil Practice Law and Rules to remove the requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat before using physical force in self-defense. It also provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for the justified use of physical force or the threatened use of force. The bill clarifies that the court shall not consider the possibility of retreat when determining whether the use of deadly force was justified, and requires the court to dismiss charges or civil claims against a defendant who shows justification for the use of force, unless the prosecutor or plaintiff can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the force was not reasonable or justified.