I interviened in a mugging a got arrested myself?

Question

I was walking home across a housing estate, it was just getting dark and I heard a woman shouting 'Help Help'. I ran to were she was on a small patch of grass and a youth aged around 20 had stopped on his bike and was violently trying to grab this ladys handbag off of her. I could see clearly that the woman was in in danger and she has blood on her face (He had punched her in th face before I had arrived). Without thinking I ran at him and pulldozed him to the ground (I didnt know at the time but he fractures his rist when he went over). I grabbed him and gave to the woman my mobile phone to call the police. I held him there for a few minutes until police arrived (Being called every name under the sun by him of course). When the police arrived he was arrested and put into a cop car. The police and lady thanked me repeatedly. The police got into the car...and then a few minutes later they got back out and told me that I was under arrest for assault as the man said he's pressing charges

Answer 1

Don't be too worried: it'll almost definitely be dismissed. However, he does have the right to press charges.

The prosecutor has the option of declining to go forward with the case, and the judge who will preside over your arraignment will also have the option of dismissing the case.

Answer 2

This is the reason why people don't want to help other people anymore. It sickens me to see that they are able to get a way with pressing charges. I know that if u would have been a cop that it would be a different story and you would be scott free. I think that if you explain to the judge that hate woman was being assaulted and that you were not using excessive force he will lessen the charges or drop them all together. Either way I am glad to hear there are people out there still willing to help others thank you and good luck.

Answer 3

i agree with everyone. i don't think the charges will stick either, and it is sad that you have to go through that. i hope this doesn't stop you from being a good Samaritan.

anywho, with the testimony of the woman, you should be fine. in the same event, if for some weird twisted reason the charges stick, then i am almost certain that they won't give you any time or anything because of why you assaulted the guy. my guess is that they will get dropped though.

thanks for saving a life, and don't worry, you did a good thing, and the court will see that, and he probably already has a record, so your credibility is already greater than his. good luck!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Welcome to America. There are some states with good citizen laws regarding violent acts. You will need to get 2 attorneys. 1 criminal to get this throw out. It will be tossed if what you said is true. The other will need to be a civil attorney because there is no doubt in my mind that the mugger plans to sue you. Yep - he can and probably will win. Some robber just recently won a lawsuite where he broke into the person's house, slipped on a wet tile that was wet from him breaking in during the rain and won like $40K in damages from the home owner. This whole Country is screwed up.

Answer 5

You should be commended... As it is, I don't think you have much to worry about. I can't imagine a judge or jury in the world that would hold you responsible for this criminal's injuries. To be on the safe side, you might want to contact a lawyer's office to see if you need some advice... also, alert the local media as to what's happened. If this is the case, the public should be made aware of this quirky law and maybe you could be the impetus for some changes.

Answer 6

You were the hero.By the way what you did deserves credit but unfortunately you did assault
the guy.I know it sucks but you can get in trouble for assaulting someone even if they are
guilty of a crime.I know this sounds crazy but when I was 16 me and my 22 yr. old sister had
an argument and she started beating me up.But
somehow I managed to pin her down.I punched her a gave her a black eye.When the fight was over she tried to hit me again so I picked up a
nail file whihch I had no intent to use.I just tried
to scare her to stop hitting me.Two days later
I was arrested and put in a juvenile detention
center for 2 weeks and was later bailed out.I
was originally suppossed to be in jail for 2 months .My charges were Simple battery and
simple assault.I think this was unfair considering
she was beating me up.I just happened to defend myself.

Answer 7

It's unfair but sadly the way the law works i was arrested myself when i was assaulted and dared to defend myself ended up getting arrested for affray if i hadn't hit back i wouldn't have been arrested. It's madness i was only cautioned because it was my first offense but still...i have a record now.

Well done for doing what you did tho wish more people would

Answer 8

it just goes to show how stupid this society has got these days you can't even help a women in distress withouth getting vicatmised yourself. I would go to the national press and tell them the story see if you can get a bit of country pressure put on the cops

Answer 9

There are specific laws regarding "CITIZENS ARREST". As a seurity gaurd years ago, I made a citizens arrest that stuck in court. I never touched the suspects other than to confiscate a pocket full of quarters as evidence. I patted them down for weapons, but never restrained them. As citizens we are not allowed to restrain. Sounds stupid but that's it in a nutshell.

Answer 10

He won't get anywhere. People will laugh at him and you should laugh at him too.

It sucks, but I don't think you should be too worried. It's not like you continued to kick the crap out of him. You just stopped him from continuing to commit a crime and he knows that. He's just being a typical american. Everyone else know THAT.