another fight?

Question

would i have to be hurt to press charges if i got jumped??
the kikd hits like a *****...
i didnt hit back

Answer 1

It depends on what State you are in. In most states, a person commits an assault if they touch you without your permission, even if you aren't caused any pain. Obviously, if they cause you pain or physically injure you (separate things), then the act becomes a more serious crime.

You should call the police and file the report in any event. If he didn't hurt you with his fists last time, he might come at you with a bat the next. That way you can at least show that you tried to have the police resolve the issue and if you do have to defend yourself you can show you made efforts to have this handled through proper legal channels first.

Answer 2

Are you a kid under 18? If so, then no to the pressing charges. Either the police or your parents/guardians must do this. This is actually an assault unless you did something to provoke the other kid. Unfortunately it's one of those cases where (unless there were witnesses) it's your word against his. If you were severely hurt, things might be different as you have evidence.

Was the other kid way bigger than you? If not, most likely nothing will happen. And if it does, it's probably going to happen to you as well (unless witnesses can absolutely verify that you did nothing to provoke the other guy).

Have you been in a fair amount of fights (that people know about)? If so, then your credibility won't be so good.

My advice to you is exactly what I give my own kids: Get tougher, learn how to fight, Stay out of fights if you can, but if someone starts it, go ahead and end it. It is my opinion that kids fighting is a natural course of events, and a learning experience for kids. You learn how to stand up for yourself without relying on anyone else.

Nowadays however, so many kids have weapons (or gang up several-to-one because they are too afraid to fight one-on-one) that this "learning experience" is not as natural as it used to be.