SB572: SB572 Criminal Prosecutions; an additional justification for use of force in defense of self or others; provide

Georgia law already lets people use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves or others when they reasonably believe it is necessary. This bill changes several parts of that law found in Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. It adds a new rule that any use of force meeting the law's standard is presumed reasonable and justified, though that presumption can be challenged and rebutted in court. It also adds a new circumstance where force is not justified: using or threatening force against a properly identified law enforcement officer performing official duties in a public place, if the person knew or should have known the person was an officer. The bill also changes the immunity from prosecution process, allowing a person to raise a claim of immunity at arraignment or through a pretrial motion, and requiring prosecutors to overcome a preliminary claim of immunity with clear and convincing evidence. Separately, it amends the state's civil liability law so a person who justifiably used force cannot be sued by the legal representatives or heirs of the person the force was used against. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Creates a rebuttable presumption that a person's use of force in self-defense or defense of others is reasonable and justified, unless a court is convinced otherwise.
• Adds a new limit on self-defense claims: force against a properly identified, on-duty law enforcement officer in a public place is not justified if the person knew or should have known the person was an officer.
• Sets specific procedures for claiming immunity from criminal prosecution, allowing the claim at arraignment or as a pretrial motion.
• Requires prosecutors to present clear and convincing evidence to defeat a preliminary (prima facie) claim of self-defense immunity.
• Extends Georgia's existing 'no duty to retreat' civil immunity law (O.C.G.A. Section 51-11-9) so a person cannot be sued by the legal representatives or heirs of someone against whom force was justifiably used.

The bill affects anyone who uses or threatens force to defend themselves or others, law enforcement officers involved in encounters where force is used, prosecutors and courts handling self-defense claims, and the families or estates of people injured or killed in incidents where force was found to be legally justified.

People claiming self-defense would get a legal presumption in their favor and a clearer, faster path to seek immunity from prosecution, while prosecutors would face a higher evidentiary bar to overcome that claim. Families of someone killed or hurt in a justified use-of-force incident would be barred from suing in civil court.

• Section 1 rewrites O.C.G.A. Section 16-3-21 to add a rebuttable presumption that force meeting the legal standard is reasonable and justified.
• Section 1 adds a new subsection (b)(4) barring self-defense claims when force is used against a properly identified, on-duty law enforcement officer in a public location.
• Section 2 rewrites O.C.G.A. Section 16-3-24.2 to specify that immunity claims can be raised at arraignment or by pretrial motion, and requires clear and convincing evidence to overcome a prima facie immunity claim.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. Section 51-11-9 to bar civil lawsuits by legal representatives or heirs of a person against whom justified force was used, in addition to the person themselves.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.
• Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-10House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-09House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
5. 2026-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
6. 2026-03-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
7. 2026-03-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
8. 2026-02-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)

• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)Primary sponsor
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• David Clark (R, HD-100)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   30 yea, 23 nay (2 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #651

• self-defense law
• stand your ground
• criminal prosecutions
• civil liability
• gun rights