Where do you draw the line for "self defense"?

[Gil]

Back on the topic of self-defense:
As I said earlier, I don't really give a rip about much of the stuff in my house.
My insurance will pay to replace it.
But as for the living, breathing humans, and small animals in my house.
If you plan to harm me, or any one of them, give your heart to the Lord.
As everything else will belong to me.
I will defend the people in this house if they are threatened.
If the said criminal is haulin' ass out of here, I will let him/her go and give as thorough a description as possible to the po-po.

Off topic:
As far as "smart" criminals not getting caught: Have you ever heard of Ivan Boesky?
He got rich from his crimes. He was caught. And he went to jail.
I believe the movie "Wall Street" may have been based very loosely on the life and crimes of Mr. Boesky.

Truth be known, when it comes to thieves, to quote Don Henley, "A man with a briefcase can steal more money than any man with a gun."

 

[a6m5]

Truth be known, when it comes to thieves, to quote Don Henley, "A man with a briefcase can steal more money than any man with a gun."

Amen. Many of those people will never be caught, because they are the ones who is in charge.

 

[Grand Prix]

I'm sorry to hear that, DLBrown. It does sound like you messed up, leaving that much valuables unattended, but it is really frustrating when some punk steals your hard earned items.


If there's a sufficient evidence that she reported the abuse and asked for help. Also, if there was a reason she couldn't leave, due to the husband threatening to kill her if she leave, etc. If those things were documented in public records, then it is justified in my view. If it was someone who was just too dumb to leave while she still could, and kills the abusive husband one day because she felt like it, then I do think she should be charged. I realize it's not as black and white as my examples in some cases.

Okay. So you're saying that it's possible for a defendant, who pleads not guilty under self defense, could be charged? We don't just let people go for claiming self defense, do we? If we heard a bank robber plead not guilty under self defense for shooting an banker, we would probably laugh in his face. So surely there must be some kind of line between what is criminal and what is self defense?

 

[a6m5]

Okay. So you're saying that it's possible for a defendant, who pleads not guilty under self defense, could be charged? We don't just let people go for claiming self defense, do we? If we heard a bank robber plead not guilty under self defense for shooting an banker, we would probably laugh in his face. So surely there must be some kind of line between what is criminal and what is self defense?

Like I said, if the abuse victim clearly asked for help, and have tried to get away from the abuser, but system failed to protect her, I don't think she should be charged.

Way I look at it: 1) I repeatedly beat my wife 2)She calls the police, but as soon as I'm back out from jail, or after police leaves, I'm back to abusing her again. 3) She tries to divorce me or leave town, but that makes me mad even more, and threatens to cut her throat if she tries to leave.

In scenario like that, yes, it is totally justified in my view. I have seen few abused women and their injuries, firsthand. Have you? In some cases, it is to kill or be killed. This is not an exaggeration, it is more common than you think. Again, I do realize that it's not always going to be so clear cut.

 

[smellysocks12]

I'm sure someone will steal my iPod from me as well. When I go to karate training I just dump my coat outside the entrance of the dojo with my iPod in it. A locker costs 50 cents each time so if I'd pay that every time I would have bought them an iPod during the years, so I just take the risk. And I doubt someone has the guts to steal from belongings in front of the dojo unless they want to die. Now if it'd be the dressing room, I wouldn't leave my stuff there.