When can a person take the law in their own hands?

Question

police report break ins and theft, okay they come and do a report, now what, when seeing area myself, found beer bottal liquid blood or beer or other wise, glass possible blood, some thing was dragged you could see marking, yet police did a break in report only, syringe found tools missing and again police did the small report, are we neighbors justified to do the rest and take the law in our hands seeing they did nothing, smallapartment complex.

Answer 1

In Ky. you can only do something if they are inside. But if that's all the police did when obviously there was much more to be concerned with you can report it to the chief of police and/or internal affairs. You can also get a copy of any & all police reports. If they do nothing then or only a minimum of reason for the call is given you can take it to the paper. If it obviously seems as if they are avoiding making an effort you can contact your state attorney general's office . I don't know about other AGs but ours takes all complaints serious & will direct you to the right place.

True things aren't like in a movie or tv show but they are required to take the report, talk to witnesses, knock on doors of neighbors that are up, search the grounds, etc. & make a full report including additional findings, especially syringe missing (usually drugs) & bloody drag marks (possibly murder) as all this info is valuable should something else happens.

But in Ky. (and most states) if the person is inside (as in breaking in) you can shoot. Also a dog is an excellent deterrent. More burglers are more afraid of a dog than an owner with a gun because they are harder to overpower & less predictable. Engraved your valuables so they have less street value. Neighborhood watches are good when active.

Other than that your options are limited. If you have a cell phone camera (or any other kind for that matter) you could have taped evidence if you see it happening. Since it's not his residence he's in a public place so it could be used in a court of law. But they'd still have to know who it is. But the pic could identify him if caught elsewhere.

There may be justice but sometimes it's awful slow. The same freedoms that protect you from false arrest also protect the criminal. In some cases even more it seems. But the more evidence the better.

Answer 2

I do it , on an as needed basis , but I have had to take responsibilities for doing such things , such as going to court , paying fines etc. my last charge was for re decorating a department store with a grown man I caught stalking my 8 and 12 year old daughters , I caught him with his hand in the pocket ( playing pool ) and licking his lips...
My experience with a thief , as this was yet another assault charge no time served minimum fine $ 150.00 , I have found that a Louisville Slugger ( wooden) across the knee caps ,and elbows , and a foot in the *ss is very effective ..
how ever after 9 assault charges the fines do go higher I am up to about $450.00 never serving a day , and the money spent was well worth it .
Justified or not , I saw fit to do it , and I done it , I will not let a predator prey on anyone right in front of me , and a thief is no different , they are predators as well . Do what you have to do , I will never sit back and let some jack*ss take what I have worked for .. If nothing else catch him whoop his *ss like his momma should have , then all gather around when the police show up , and all together say " we ain't seen nothin"

Answer 3

I have read several articles in the paper lately when there has been break-in and the intruder was shot to death. The shooter was never punished because the person that broke into their home had intentions of doing harm. I believe that each person has the right to defend their own property and make sure that you don't take a knife to a gun fight! Get yourself some power, because if the intruder lives they can sue you and that just makes me mad! Make sure that they are dead ! When America was young the citizens of this great Country always took the law into their own hands and if they felt someone was doing things that were wrong they felt very justified to deal out the punishment and if the law tried to get in the way it went very bad for the law man. It was common for a group of people to gather and hang people that they felt needed to be hung. I think that this is what kept people honest and avoided a lot of criminal activity. I believe that if more people would do that today, we would have a lower crime rate. So go ahead and protect your positions, but make sure the intruder does not live!

Answer 4

taking the law into your own hands is vigilantisim. This may have been popular in the Old West when you muckled on to the suspected cattle rustler or the occasional, pesky Mexican, Chinese, black or farmer and tossed a rope over a tree to hang them "Just because..." An awful lot of innocent people strung up by a crowd who either thought they were doing the right thing or because of your nationality, color or religion was the sole factor in your execution.
No...this is why we have police. To keep the line of anarchy versus public order clear and in focus.

Now...you do have a right to protect yourself from immenent harm or certainally death. Especially if there is no avenue of escape and you're forced to kill someone who is bent on doing the same to you. I don't suggest organizing a squad of "do-gooders" to versee the complex but this is why Neighborhood Watches are established. Meet with the tennants in your building and contact the police to have a representative at the meeting. Discuss options with the police and explore the services they can provide the group to curtail the crime you're experiencing. You may find this the better route to travel. Being your won judge and jury can lead to problems you may regret.

Answer 5

The first thing I would do is check my state laws and the second thing I would do is to call some ones supervisor or the lead detective handling the case. Sometimes law enforcement may do things without letting the general public know about. However, if they haven't done anything, you have a full right to know. You also have a right to know why they didn't look into any other possible crime. I also highly recommend forming a community watch. You shouldn't have to live in fear. If you get no satisfaction from your local law enforcement, then go and see your city/county representative. If nothing is still done, go see your attorney. Taking the law into your own hands is vigilantism and a bit illegal. If you're pushed and no one helps, I understand, however, it should be a last resort.

Answer 6

It depends upon what you mean by taking the law in your own hands. If you mean to organize a neighborhood watch, yes, do it. Often the police will come out and talk about security and help with the founding of a neighborhood watch. An organized group could take turns watching the complex and calling the police as soon as something starts. I have friends who live in a large complex in California and began doing this when they got tired of tagging and drug dealing. The neighbors patrol the area at night. They've come to know each other very well, which in itself helps prevent crime.

As far as taking physical action against the criminals, you're likely to end up in trouble yourselves. I understand the desire to want to dispense justice yourself, but it seldom works out for the vigilantes. You're more likely to get justice by organizing the neighbors. A united group can put pressure on the police department to increase patrols, and in general to take things more seriously. You're better off using group organization to run a neighborhood watch and pressure the police department to do a more thorough job. Good luck.

Answer 7

Just what do you plan on doing? You know who did this? Tell the cops who it is. What are you going to do, imprison him in the apartment laundry room for a couple years? Going to drag him out, and beat him half to death?

It is one thing to follow the evidence and report what you find to the police. You can do that, it is legal.

It is quite another to punish someone yourself for committing a crime. That is the government's job and you will find that usurping that authority quite costly.

Answer 8

You can protect your personal property and defend yourself in most situations. If you are in a dangerous predicament where your life is being threatened or if someone is trying to break into your home, and the police are called and don't respond, I would defend myself at all costs. By the way, do you live in New Orleans?

Answer 9

During times of chaos,like here in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the NOPD is nowheres to be found, and thugs run the streets.You are ultimately responsible for protecting yourselves.

Answer 10

Yes, of course they can. However, be prepared to suffer the consequences of being arrested for committing a crime yourself. Here where I live a man shot at some thugs who were stealing his car, and he spent several nights in jail, and will now have to defend himself in court.