There's a big difference between being sued and being held liable after all is said and done. There's nothing under the law -- including the "Stand Your Ground" and "Castle Doctrine" principles -- that prevents Martin's family from going down to the county courthouse tomorrow and filing a civil lawsuit against Zimmerman.
How the case ends up up being adjudicated is a whole different matter, and I'll venture to guess that it would be years before all of the motions and appeals work their way through the system. It's also unlikely that any civil trial would proceed (or even a lawsuit filed in the first place) until the criminal proceedings are done.
It's also unlikely that any civil trial would proceed (or even a lawsuit filed in the first place) until the criminal proceedings are done
Exactly right. A conviction (even if reduced in a plea to perhaps brandishing a weapon) is the go ahead for a civil suit.
That's why the immunity provision is so important. If you were in the right, defending yourself or another you don't have to go to court much less lose your house and savings to a criminal or his family. ;-)