Why is it always considered attempted murder when someone attacks a cop with any kind of weapon?

Question

but battery and/or assault when a civilian is attacked? Unless the civilian is shot about six times or so?

Answer 1

IF YOU ATTACK A CIVILIAN WITH A WEAPON, IT IS ALSO THE SAME CHARGE AS WITH A COP. HERE IN GEORGIA, WE DONT HAVE AN ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE, IT IS CALLED AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.

IT ALSO DEPENDS ON THE MANNER THE WEAPON WAS USED, ATTEMPTING TO BE USED, OR BRANDISHED.

WITH CIVILIANS, MOST OF TIME A PERSON WITH A WEAPON MAY NOT ATTACK SO VIOLENTLY BECAUSE THE CIVILIAN MAY NOT BE ARMED AND THE COURTS ALSO LOOK AT IF THE CIVILIAN COULD HAVE GOT AWAY FROM THE THREAT.

IN MOST CASES, IF SOMEONE ATTACKS A POLICE OFFICER, THEY KNOW THAT THE OFFICER CAN COUNTER THE ATTACK AND DO SO QUICKER THAN THE CIVILIAN CAN (IN MOST CASES). A POLICE OFFICER ALSO DOES NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF BACKING OUT OF A THREAT ALL THE TIME. WE CAN, DEPENDING IF THERE ARE OTHER INNOCENT PERSONS AT RICK AND IF US RETREATING...PUTS THEM IN MORE DANGER.

I DO AGREE WITH YOU THOUGH...THERE ARE ALOT OF INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE SEEN WHERE SOMEONE WAS CHARGED WITH BATTERY OR ASSAULT (OR SOME SIMILIAR CHARGE) WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (SAME AS ATTEMPTED MURDER) BUT WENT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CREDIBLE WITNESSES.

AN OFFICERS TESTIMONY IS ACCEPTED HIRE THAN THE REGULAR CIVILIAN BECAUSE WE ARE A PROFESSION. SOCIETY EXPECTS AND DEMANDS MORE THAN AVERAGE BEHAVIOR OUT OF OFFICERS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS BECAUSE IN OUR JOBS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING ANNUALLY, WHERE AS MOST JOBS ARE NOT. THEREFORE, WE SHOULD BE MORE PROFFICIENT IN OUR JOBS.

THATS WHY YOU SEE OFFICERS MORE PUBLICLY DENOUNCED. WE ARE THE PUNCHING BAG FOR SOCIETY AND I WENT INTO THE JOB KNOWING THAT.

Answer 2

It depends on the laws of the state you live in. Here in NC if you shoot someone in the head but they don't die, it isn't considered attempted murder. There is no such law on the book here. But as far as other states go, it is considered that based on the job that we do. If you attack a police officer with a weapon it isn't because you want to get away, that could have been done with out attacking the cop. It is also that way so that people will realize there are stiffer penalties for attacking police officers and will be less likely to do it. Just like some states have it that if you kill a cop it is an automatic death sentence, there is no life in prison sentence for it. The job is dangerous enough without letting people think that it is ok to attack a cop with a weapon.

Answer 3

So far, as I type this, The Wraith Of God Is Coming has been the only one to bring up that the mentality behind preferential treatment (whatever form it takes; automatic attempted murder or no) of police officers in the eyes of the law is largely due to the fact that both the letter and spirit of the law recognize not only the hazardous nature of the occupation, but the responsibility that goes with it such that the court sees an attack against a police officer as an attack on EVERY citizen in its jurisdiction.

Rightly so, I might add.

If you'll permit me an intentional slap in the face as it were, it is not entirely unlike the feeling most Americans have at learning an attack on military personnel has resulted in even a single injury or fatality for our troops.

Not that the law is showing patriotism per se, but it is showing consistency.

As for corruption, or what have you, when a police officer engages in criminal activity, that officer dishonors him/herself, and the letter of the law at least provides for severe penalties as a consequence, whereupon that officer becomes if only for a time an enemy of the law they are supposed to uphold.

Does this mean all cops are corrupt? Of course not! In fact, statistically only very small percentage have been for quite some time.

Personally, I believe it to be among the most foolish things one could attempt, attacking a cop. Think about it: even if you KILLED him/her, your life would never be the same, and would lose all value in the eyes of everyone who mattered, corrupt cop or not. At least in court you have a guaranteed audience.

I'll grant that I don't like having exchanges with cops (who wants the implication of legal trouble coming around), but in the final analysis, the badge deserves respect, at the VERY least insofar as safety is concerned. Remember, we pay them to keep us safe, without passion or prejudice. If they are not safe, neither are you, and neither am I. That means we all have to abide by the law. If not, we pay the piper... even if the only tune he plays is the wail of a siren.

Finally, and I mean this whole-heartedly, I hope Billy M is never in need of the harbor patrol, and lives a long healthy happy life. Even if that doesn't happen, there will be someone wearing a badge, somewhere nearby, looking out for his well-being, whether he notices, or not.

Answer 4

It's considered attempted murder if anyone attacks someone with a weapon of any kind, but an attack on a police officer carries a stiffer penalty because that's the way the law is. While there may be some arguments about police brutality, corruption, etc; we would have a hell of lot of more problems without law enforcement and people who put their lives on the line protecting us.

Answer 5

I've heard of cases where a person attacks a cop and gets a felony battery charge, not attempted murder. In fact, I've rarely heard of attempted murder of a cop. If you watch the show COPS, there are lots of people who get charged with felony battery of a police officer and not attempted murder.

Answer 6

Basically stated if the officers are allowed to be targets they will be more injuries to the officers. Also they are laying their life on the line to protect you and are directly in between criminals and decent civilians who are usually to busy to concern them self's with police activity. So as the average citizen moves from place to place in the course of their normal day the officer is going from crime scene to crime scene. The officer is constantly in danger to protect you. If the officer is disabled for any reason this allows for an increase in crime and it is a special type of person who wants to be an officer few and far between. Therefor the officer is afforded some protection because of the hazardous work they preform on a daily bases.

Answer 7

What garbage, a fisherman is 15 times as likely to be killed in his profession than a cop and he is doing some good in providing you with some food. A cop is out there to generate revenue for the fat cats lavish lifestyles. What 40 cops feloniously killed last year? Give me a break..

Answer 8

Because police have a status with people in general. That is just like in some states if you kill a police officer, judge,fireman or witness to a crime-it is automatically first degree. Probably because police are well respected and they were probably only doing their job and you killed them or attempted to hurt them for doing their job.

Answer 9

That's a loaded question. It is NOT always considered attempted murder. It depends on the circumstances and is determined on a case by case basis.

Answer 10

Attempted murder? It should be just a normal Workers Compensation Claim filed by the the officer that will get denied like the rest of us working stiffs.