2007-02-11 10:52:16 · 17 answers · asked by Laura 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There were no witnesses. It was a case of road rage. She said I cut her off. She followed me almost all the way to my workplace until we pulled off into a parking lot. We got out of our cars (which was incredibly stupid on my part.) I yelled "Why are you following me?" She yelled back and started coming towards me. I stayed behing my car door. I told her to stay back, but she kept on coming with her fist in the air. I maced her when she got too close. I left and went to work. I called the police immediately after it happened and told them everything that happened. She filed a warrant for my arrest. I got a lawyer and then he got rid of the warrant. I filed not guilty at court. Next we have a hearing to hear both sides of our case. I'm wondering what will happen next. Can she sue in civil court?
2007-02-11 11:08:34 · update #1
If the self defense was pretty obvious, all you have to do is say that you "feared for you safety". That should solve any problem.
2007-02-11 10:56:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If it was in self-defense then you did not break any laws.
For it to be in self-defense, the person you maced had to have presented a mortal danger to you or someone else.
If, perhaps, they stole some property from you and you maced them to get it back, or if they had stopped presenting a mortal danger to you or someone else and you still maced them then that was not in self-defense. In that case you could be charged with assault.
2007-02-11 11:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by greencoke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What should you expect legally? not sure what you mean exactly? If you have maced someone in self defense, after you are away from your "attacker" notify local police and inform them of your incident. Be sure to give them exact details also.
2007-02-11 10:56:43 · answer #3 · answered by vin_man00 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some states require a license stating that you took a class to carry the mace (this class goes over reasons to use, how to use, etc). What size canister was it- some sizes are illegal. Contact your local Bureau of Safety and Investigative Services to see. You can also ask the local police department.
2007-02-11 11:02:03 · answer #4 · answered by longleggedfirecracker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I you live in a Blue State, you should have given your attacker a "Big Democrat Group Hug".
(That is supposed to be a "cure-all".)
If it was a stranger, you shouldn't have any problems, depending on state law. Mace & Pepper Spray are not allowed for self-defense by women in some Blue States.
GO FIGURE......
2007-02-11 11:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
provided the mace was legal to have where you live and provided your use of it was a reasonable amount of force to protect yourself from an attacker then you should not be charged with anything.
if you are charged with something it might be possession of an illegal weapon or a banned substance.
this is all only if you are able to show that you were protecting yourself from physical harm
2007-02-11 11:02:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what the attacker was doing. If some goon was grabbing at you and you were afraid for your safety, you should be ok.
If some guy was talking to you and persistent about you going on a date and you squirt him with the hot sauce, you could be in hot water.
You can only use that force which is reasonable to defend yourself. So, if a goon yields a knife or gun, you have the right to take him/her down. If the guy is holding a toothpick, you can't shoot him.
2007-02-11 11:05:36 · answer #7 · answered by P W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
assualt charges maybe,a lawsuit for damages if any,if the person in question decides to press charges,you'll have to prove your case,and that it was self defense,I would document the situation,gather any testomony from any witnesses(and have them come to court if the perp takes this course of action)you should have filled out a police report,at your local police station just for cya reasons,so theres some kind of record in case this comes back at you
2007-02-11 10:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by stygianwolfe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you did it with out good reason you could be done for assult. you would need to show the judge that the persons actions justified your use of the mace. like if they were going to attack you or they did attack you or threatened you.
2007-02-11 10:57:42 · answer #9 · answered by mixturenumber1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it was in self-defense...you're fine. Just tell the truth and nothing can happen.
The main question will be to the person you sprayed...What were you doing at the time? And they'll be like...Well...I was...and then then the judge will be like...yeah...they had every right to spray you...I'D have sprayed you!
2007-02-11 10:57:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋