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Arizona bill modelled on Florida Self-Defense statute

The Arizona Senate is proposing self-defense legislation modeled on that of Florida. Different bills would either (a) establish "no retreat" or (b) put the burden on the prosecution to disprove self-defense when it is alleged. Prosecutors are objecting, of course.

(I'm not sure either marks a major change in the law. On the first, present Ariz. law simply requires that the force used be "reasonably necessary." Earlier caselaw had refused to impose a retreat requirement. On the other hand, I suppose it's open to argue that availability of retreat made force not "reasonably necessary," thus bringing it in by the back door. With the other, if I remember correctly, the defendant has the burden of proving self-defense by a preponderance of the evidence (it's more likely than not to have been the case), whereupon the burden shifts to the prosecution to rebut it by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

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