Can you do defend a loved one legally?

jtprin

Well-Known Member
If someone does or attempts to physical harm one of your loved ones (friends, family, pet, etc.), can you physically harm the attacker (legally) even though they didn't come after you? Or if it's just some random citizen being jumped, could you go help the victim by going after the attacker?
 

budlover13

King Tut
If someone does or attempts to physical harm one of your loved ones (friends, family, pet, etc.), can you physically harm the attacker (legally) even though they didn't come after you? Or if it's just some random citizen being jumped, could you go help the victim by going after the attacker?
You must be able to articulate clearly that you feared for your life/safety OR that of another. i see someone beating a family member, they gonna have issues.

EDIT: You are only allowed to use a level of force that is deemed appropriate to the situation.
 

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
Wow. I totally misinterpreted the opening question. My first thought was "an attorney should already know that" ... cn
 

FOUR20 SWG

Active Member
Depends what state your in.

What race the attacker is (racial double-standards are a sad fact of life in most places unfortunately)

Are they are holding a weapon/object. If so, you are usually permitted to take whatever measures you feel are necessary to protect yourself, another person, pet, or property from harm.

Best defense is always to be vigilant and ready. Never slack on security or sense. Both are crucial.
 

jtprin

Well-Known Member
Yeah I was high when I wrote the OP so I messed up the title lol. Should read "Can you defend a loved one legally?"
 

jtprin

Well-Known Member
If I saw someone harming one of my dogs I would go insane. All my rage would be directed towards them. I'd tell the cops I consider my pets part of my family and that they were threatening one of my loved ones. Had to be done.
 

MrFrance

Well-Known Member
enormous question. responsibility if you intervene is upon you. As in the joke is no longer on the thing that killed you're dog and upon you.

So what, I would want to rip the animal harming thing limb from limb if I knew precisely who it was. last resort, operations, method. First mmmhmm I would heal my dog. Then I'd fight.
 

pmumbry

Active Member
In the United States, a civilian may legally use deadly force when it is considered justifiable homicide, that is to say when the civilian feels that their own life, the lives of their family, or those around them are in legitimate and imminent danger. However, self-defense resulting in usage of deadly force by a civilian or civilians against an individual or individuals is often subject to examination by a court if it is unclear whether it was necessary at the point of the offense, and whether any further action on the part of the law needs to be taken.
from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadly_force

If you are allowed to use DEADLY force to stop danger then you can obviously use lesser force to do so as well, like hitting or kicking or whatever.
 

bowlfullofbliss

Well-Known Member
If I saw someone harming one of my dogs I would go insane. All my rage would be directed towards them. I'd tell the cops I consider my pets part of my family and that they were threatening one of my loved ones. Had to be done.

I'd lose it too....BUT....animals are considered as property, and not a life, in our legal system. You may NOT use deadly force, or attack someone for harming property. If you hear someone breaking into your car at night, and go outside and shoot them, you're going to prison. Your life must be in immenent danger.

Please know that you can't use deadly force to protect your pets, life is over for you.

Carry safely people. Its a great responsibilty.
 

pmumbry

Active Member
you can perform a citizen's arrest in many places, including most u.s.states:

[h=3]United States[/h] Each state, with the exception of North Carolina, permits citizen arrests if the commission of a felony is witnessed by the arresting citizen, or when a citizen is asked to assist in the apprehension of a suspect by police. The application of state laws varies widely with respect to misdemeanors, breaches of the peace, and felonies not witnessed by the arresting party. For example, Arizona law allows a citizen's arrest if the arrestor has personally witnessed the offense occurring.[SUP][37][/SUP]
American citizens do not carry the authority or enjoy the legal protections held by police officers, and are held to the principle of strict liability before the courts of civil and criminal law including, but not limited to, any infringement of another's rights.[SUP][38][/SUP] Nonetheless many citizens' arrests are popular news stories.[SUP][39][/SUP]
from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen's_arrest#United_States
 

Trolling

New Member
If someone does or attempts to physical harm one of your loved ones (friends, family, pet, etc.), can you physically harm the attacker (legally) even though they didn't come after you? Or if it's just some random citizen being jumped, could you go help the victim by going after the attacker?
This question isn't even a thought...I'm no pussy, I'm American.
 

budlover13

King Tut
Yep, they get one warning and that's it.
Here's how i see the situation going down.....

Dude breaks windows and gets confronted by armed homeowner. Homeowner is armed because he fears for his safety. Either 1) dude backs off or 2) dude doesn't back off leading homeowner to believe he is mentally unstable, a threat, and something to be dealt with.
 

rainman36

Well-Known Member
if somebody you know is getting jumped.let off a couple shots in the air,and watch everybody scatter like roaches,that usualy works.
 

budlover13

King Tut
if somebody you know is getting jumped.let off a couple shots in the air,and watch everybody scatter like roaches,that usualy works.
If somebody i know is getting jumped to the point i feel the need to draw my firearm, somebody's getting shot. And not some kid because i recklessly discharged a firearm into the air.
 

Trolling

New Member
Yeah I think it was just last year that some kid got hit in the head by a stray bullet during 4th of July fireworks.


What goes up, must come down.
 
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