Is it okay to knock Mormon missionaries off my front porch?

Question

Two weeks ago, I had a couple of snot nosed Mormon missionaries come knocking at my door. I asked them to leave and they continued to stand there like fools and argue with me. So, I opened up a can of whoopass on them. I don't think they expected that from an old man like me. Anyways, they called the police and I was charged with assault and battery. I told the cops that I was on my own property and I was trying to get these two dorks off of my property. But the cop wrote me a ticket anyway.

So, I have my hearing tomorrow. I'm pleading not guilty because I was defending my property from religious fanatics. Do you have any cheap legal advice for an old fool who loves America and wants to keep his front yard free of trash?

Answer 1

as funny as that sounds I think you are kinda screwed dear.

Answer 2

Judging by your picture I am assuming that you are a mature adult? Your actions do not concur. What sort of antics is this? That we find an aged and experienced man acting as if he can assualt a person for simply solitciting. This is something to be expected from someone 1/3 your years and experience.

The right to defend your property does not include assualt and battery, without the thought, threat or harm or injury to oneself. You were charged with "assault and battery". Which by definition means you struck a person either by insult or injury. Thus must have been evident by the Police Officer at the time? Hence resulting in YOU being sited?

Any legal advice for:

"an old fool who loves America and wants to keep his front yard free of trash?"

I would suggest NOT to repeat THAT statement to the Judge. You will be seen as anti-religious, anti-everything! A court of law is based in religion.

Immediately place a sign up that says "NO SOLITCITING" on your property. To protect everyone else from YOU.

Too late to say that the solution would have been to simply close the door once you realized it was someone you didn't want to have anything to do with. Several opportunities posed itself before you took it upon yourself to assualt "a couple of snot nosed Mormon missionaries". Your words! (quote, end quote)

YOU were sited for "assualt and battery" thus the only thing left is what your Judgement will be?

I personally see no solution.......you are bigoted! Naieve and wrong on all recourse.

But leagally here?

You ARE an elder. Tell the Judge exactly what he needs to hear. Leave out such derogatory comments as "dorks and snot nosed Mormons." Paint an American picture of an older citizen.

The legal advice is free. My comments may cost you. I won't say anymore because I think what you did was very wrong.

Answer 3

If you are in CA the law works like so:

Battery is a misdemeanor crime, as is assault. Police may not make arrests (a ticket is a type of arrest) based on a misdemeanor that did not occur in their presence. It can only be done based on a citizen's arrest. So it wasn't the policeman's decision, it was the Mormon’s who's *** you kicked. So much for "turn the other cheek."

It may not go anywhere. That is up to the local D.A. But I can tell you that if it does go to court the judge is going to dislike your temper and eagerness to resort to violence. He will probably decide your actions were excessive and fine you.

By pleading "Not Guilty" you are stating that you interpret the law to say it is okay to attack people on your porch who are not trying to hurt you. No judge is going to go for that as it would set a horrible precedent.

On the other hand, if all you did was grab one by the arm and escort him past your front lawn, that probably wouldn't be too viewed as too bad.

Next time, call the cops. Trust me, they'll leave.

- Cai

Answer 4

When I joined yahoo answers last week, I saw some of your answers, and you seemed to be a kind, gentle, loving, and good Christian. For the last few days, however, I've seen nothing but mean spirited and cruel answers from you, and now you talk about beating up people. What happened? Maybe I'm just mistaken and you've ALWAYS been like this. I thought you'd know better than this.

I hope in the future we can ALL remember that Jesus teaches LOVE, not ************. I feel bad for you AND for the Mormon missionaries. Good luck.

Answer 5

They should really leave when you ask them to,huh? I am sorry you had to endure that! However, I assume by some of your other answers that you are a Christian and so am I! So as good Christians no hun, I would not say throwing them off your front porch would not be the best idea! But they should have listen to you when you said that you were not interested!! But if you think about it for a moment........What would the world be like if all Christians were as dedicated as these fellows are?? Something just to ponder!!!

Oh by the way, (and this is just a joke so no one get mad at me) did you try telling them you were Pentecostal?? Scares the stufffings out of them! Again that was a joke not meant to offend anyone!

Answer 6

You called yourself an old fool...you have the right to ask the Mormons to leave definitely but to attack them was wrong. Why are your feelings so strongly against them? What happened to you that you can't just simply say "I am not interested" and close the door. What have you not forgiven God for? Hey even if you don't want to hear what they have to say....remember that they come to your door because they care about everyone whom they believe needs to hear the message. Many other denominations don't door knock and aren't out there facing the abuse and slammed doors. No, I'm not a Mormon but I admire their committment. Are you generally an angry violent person or is it only Mormons who upset you? You have every right to ask them to leave but not to assault them. Answer in your mind some of these questions and you might help yourself.

Answer 7

you needed to handle the situation differently. I don't totally agree with the Mormon faith but at least they are trying to reach a community. More than most Christians. I have simple told them I wasn't interested and closed the door. If they had proceeded to knock again I would have called the cops on them. I know it is very hard to tame our temper but it is for the best. Now you have court costs and what not. Good Luck but I think the court will side with the Mormons.

Answer 8

Wow. You've lived every American who has had similar incidents of their own.

Trespassing laws differ from state to state. Where I live, if you give them warning to leave your property, and they refuse, they can be arrested or tagged.

As for cheap legal advice, sorry, I wouldn't take any advice from people on this site. Maybe you could call an attorney and ask them. Sometimes you can be lucky and you'll find one that will give you a free consultation.

In my experience, even paying for an attorney was the best money I ever spent.

Answer 9

Well Don you took it just a bit to far. first you tell them to leave or you will call the police and have them escorted off your property. and have the offcers write the tickets for tresspass and not obeying you orders to leave your property.
Or just say no thank you and close the door in their faces. if they keep knocking . then you call the police and explain the situation on the phone to the dispacher and have them send a squad over to escort them off your properity. if they damage your property because you don't want to talk to them then you can arm your self until the police come or if they try to break in or damage your property then you have the right to place them under citizens arrest until the police arrive.
Unforuantly the law says you cannot use leathal force against them unless they throw the first punch or break into your house . make sure you shoot them inside your house to prove it was selfdefence. don't let them run or crawl out the door. tie them up and wait for the police and charge them with breaking and entering, criminal tresspass,threatining your life. and damage to your property.

Answer 10

Yes, stick a clear sign in your front yard saying that you do not want religious kinds of people knocking on your door wanting to convert you. Also put a warning saying that you will use the right amoult of force to remove them if they do not remove themselfs from your property when asked. You could also have a video camera installed in on your front pouch (sp) for the next time this happens.



Other than that but a sign up in your front garden saying converters wanted for black mass rituals this sunday please knock and apply for detials.
^^ Note to yahoo staff: This is a joke.........

Answer 11

Usually if anyone of any faith knocks on my door I don't have to hurt them to get them to leave. I just tell them I'm not interested in what they have to say since I'm already a Christian (if I don't have the time to discuss religion with them that day). And then I tell them to have a nice day as I close the door. They always get the message - without violence on my part.

If I were you - in court tomorrow - I would not mention religion AT ALL. I'd just let the judge know that you don't care who they were or what they were offering - you asked them to leave and they didn't. Good luck.