[sarasmom]

In Florida...yes, as a general matter of fact, you can!

Should you?
Well that depends on the specific situation, doesn’t it?

The severely autistic young man who obviously freaked out and hit me in my throat a few years back (when his very stupid relative/guardian took him into a crowded, loud restaurant)did not intentionally set out to assault me.
I didn’t kill him, or even call the cops to press charges.

If a criminal tries to rob or physically assault me...the results would be wildly different.

[zeugma]

Actually, I was wondering if the poster thought there was any particular reason that it mattered if it was a cop or not. It seemed so from the initial comment.

Seems like they have a much easier time with the 'process' than just a regular joe would in the same circumstance.