Stand Your Ground Act of 2023

S 1445, the Stand Your Ground Act of 2023, amends federal law to expand self-defense protections in certain criminal cases. It creates an affirmative defense for using force (including deadly force) when facing a "forcible felony" (like assault, robbery, or sexual battery) without requiring a defendant to retreat first. The bill directly affects individuals accused of crimes in federal court who claim self-defense, shifting the burden to prove this defense to a preponderance of evidence. Key provisions remove the "duty to retreat" requirement, allowing a defendant to stand their ground if they are not engaged in criminal activity and are in a place they have a legal right to be. This applies only to federal prosecutions commenced after the law's effective date.