Prosecutors will have to prove their case against defendants under a Stand Your Ground bill approved Tuesday in its first legislative committee. Currently, if the defendant proves their claim during a pre-trial immunity hearing, they can avoid a trial.
“It’s the right thing to recognize that the government bears the burden of proof in a criminal case from beginning to end, and a person is innocent, until proven guilty,” said Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), the bill's sponsor.
The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 5-4 with Democrats opposed. Opponents say the measure will cause many people who make the self-defense claim—any many not necessarily be innocent—to go free.
Stay tuned to Friday's Capital Report for more on this story.
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