Quote:
Originally Posted by Galahad
Thats why they have a law in some states now that if someone breaks into your house, if you feel your life is in danger, you have full rights to open fire without asking questions. It's called the "Make my day" law. If you do some research on it, a lot of websites about home defense in the US will tell you it is actually better to kill an intruder than to shoot and wound them. Harder for them to sue that way, plus the cops only get to your side of the story.
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Interesting way of thinking about it.
By the way, if I recall it is Florida that has the most "aggressive" no retreat required self defense laws.
As a civil litigator I have to disagree with your analysis on the killing the guy issue. If the guy is still alive, he will a) likely lie and be an ass in court, and b) have to wear the happy jumpsuit to trial. If he is dead, no matter what story you tell, a) the forensics don't lie and they will put together a good picture of how the guy was whacked, and b) the plaintiff lawyer/crown will be able to put his widow, orphans, grieving parents on the stand which is easier to make into a good case. And if the guy is dead, you're not likely to be able to get his criminal record or the copious evidence of his bad character in.
I ought to come to ASC more often, this is the second legal issue this place has got me thinking about today. More than at the office!
On a more serious note, if you property is the only thing in danger, let it go.
LD