Seems like if you defend yourself from bodily harm you're still in trouble. My son was at a local bar last night with his girlfriend and some friends, when he was approached by a local known troublemaker as they were leaving. Once outside and walking down the street, the thug jumps in front and somehow kicks my son in the stomach knocking him into a parked car and on the ground. My son immediately jumps up and decks the guy. Still with his girlfriend and some friends watching, the guy gets up and starts after Brad(son) again. Consequently they end up scuffling on the courthouse lawn[&:] with my son on top and giving a few shots to the guy's head before a police officer shows up. After talking to both and Brad's friends, he still takes both to the station. My son ends up with a court date and a charge of disorderly conduct. Officer tells him if he(Brad) talks to the state's attorney and is appologetic the charge might be dropped. Brad has lots of witnesses but who knows how the states attorney views this? If not dropped, I told him to get a lawyer for his court date...........he can't afford one. By the way, the officer asked the other guy what the hell was he doing..........says you are in enough trouble already.
Long story short, if charge not dropped he will be out attorney's fees. Sounds like the best thing is to let somebody beat the hell out of you.
RE: When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
I have worked with the legal system for a reaaaaal long. There are times you just have to hire a lawyer. If it went down like that and you have witnesses, it will be worth it!
Yah, it should not be like that but it is.
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RE: When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
When your son goes to court make sure he asks for a jury trial , not a judge trial. More than likely they are not going to want it to go to a jury trial. They dont have a leg to stand on and they know it.
RE: When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
Update. Son has appointment to talk to the state's attorney next week upon advice given by the police officer. Hopefully it will be dropped. Its just a misdemeanor but these days anything at all on your record makes it tougher for employment purposes.
I also just found out my son didn't have to post bond, but the other guy did........good sign.
RE: When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
The only acceptable defense in such a situation is to curl up in a ball and scream like a little girl until the offender (who probably had a troubled and disadvantaged youth due to his mother not giving him enough hugs) is too tired to deliver any more kicks, if victim survives the encounter, the police will show up later, take a report and might possibly apprehend the suspect- once the officers meet their nightly quota of traffic tickets of course. If the victim dies, well the police are there to clean up.. Remember, there are a lot of'experts' out there who advise women to give into rapists because there's a chance that they will be harmed less.
Yup, folks that is what we are slowly being reduced to, and there is still plenty room to fall.
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RE: When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
The only problem I see is that he scuffled with the guy. It would've been better if he wouldn't have gotten into a fistfight but used some techniques to stop the attack. I'm sure you've already had the talk with him that a bar may not be the better date location for him& his girlfriend.
I hope things work out for your son because he was not in the wrong here - the scum who attacked him was. Next time - hopefully there won't be a next time but just in case - you son should mace him or take him out with a shot to the eyes...
When did we stop being able to defend ourselves?
