Should you have to retreat to use self defense in law? Lawyer Ryan Pacyga hits the beach to ask

Criminal defense lawyer Ryan Pacyga had some fun on St. Pete's beach in FL with a couple of fun guys to get opinions on whether you should have to retreat before you can use self defense in public. Some states, like Minnesota, generally require it, other states, like Florida, generally do not. What do you think? Oh, and I love defending self defense cases. Need help? find me at www.arrestedmn... or call me at 612-339-5844

[@CastleTutelage]

The other thing that I'd like to tighten up is ordinary force and deadly force. Ordinary force and deadly force are two separate buckets that require different things. Ordinary force has a spectrum of force.A push is a lot different than a fist to the face, but that all can be considered ordinary force. Deadly force doesn't have a spectrum beause deadly force is deadly force. There is no duty to retreat with ordinary force. However deadly force there is a need for retreat consideration if it is completely safe to do so.

[@RyanPacyga]

thanks for commenting, but this part is not correct depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in Minnesota, you have a "duty to retreat" (if possible), even before using ORDINARY force, not just deadly force.

[@CastleTutelage]

Stand your ground and duty to retreat has usually been horribly taught. I would like to tighten up your language a little bit. Duty to retreat actually means that you do not need to have a retreat consideration if it isn't completely safe to do so. I could imagine a situation if I was talking to somebody within arms reach and he pulls out a knife and swings at me. If you interpret the law correctly using case law, the law is not going to require you to have a retreat consideration if it is reasonable that if you do retreat, you may be injured with great bodily harm or death by that knife.

[@RyanPacyga]

I hear what you're saying. But in the courtroom, there are states where the jury instructions read "duty to retreat." So we use the language that's provided to jurors, and then argue the points that you're talking about.