Bill > HB194

This bill revises Georgia's laws regarding the use of force in self-defense, making several key changes to provide broader protections for individuals who use force to defend themselves or others. The bill establishes a presumption that force used in self-defense is reasonable and necessary, which can only be rebutted by clear evidence. It modifies restrictions on using force, particularly against law enforcement, and clarifies that force can be used in publicly accessible locations. The bill also introduces new procedural protections for individuals claiming self-defense, including requiring law enforcement to establish probable cause before arresting someone who claims self-defense. Additionally, the bill extends civil liability protections, allowing legal representatives and heirs of a person against whom force was used to be protected from civil lawsuits. The legislation provides more explicit guidelines for when force is justified, including allowing defendants in murder or manslaughter cases to introduce evidence of past family violence or child abuse to support their claim of reasonable belief in the necessity of using force. Importantly, the bill creates a higher standard of proof for overcoming a claim of self-defense immunity, requiring "clear and convincing evidence" to challenge such a claim.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69703