Word: burglar
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...referenced by Clint Eastwood movie lines, it’s probably a good idea to reconsider the policy. In the United States, “Castle Doctrine”, or “Make my Day Law”, gives liberal scope for homeowners to use violence against burglars as seen fit. Meanwhile, in Britain, where it’s legal to kill a burglar if you have to, but not if you want to, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge has just overturned the sentence of Munir Hussein, who chased a burglar down the street and gave him brain damage...
...United Kingdom law enables homeowners to commit as much violence as necessary, but only in self-defense (e.g. you may knock a burglar unconscious, but not continue to beat him whilst he is harmless), which seems justified. However, it came under question when Hussein continued to attack once the burglar had left the home. Although strictly against the law, Hussein’s family had just been tied up and he acted under extreme distress and anxiety. To pursue a man down the street is not technically self-defense, but under the exceptional conditions, it’s clear that...
Over on the other side of the pond—i.e. our own blessed soil— the presence of a burglar seems to render any form of violence acceptable, and shows the dangers of too generous allowances in the name of self-protection. In the majority of states, a form of Castle Law is permitted which does not require crime victims to avoid violence, but essentially enables homeowners to “stand their ground” and attack burglars simply upon their intrusion into the home. The policy ensures that burglary is repayable by death...
Self-defense should always be legitimate when homeowners have direct reason to believe that their life or safety is in danger, and express attacks from burglars ensure that self-protection is certainly permissible. Meanwhile, to shoot a man who steps foot in your garage is a crime, according to the age-old mantra that two wrongs don’t make a right, and should be dealt with accordingly. But in the spectrum between the two extremes, policy is less certain. Certain acts of violence from homeowners (such as to chase a burglar down the street) seem unnecessary, but under...
That, of course, would only add to his legend. To his young fans, Harris-Moore is known as "the Barefoot Burglar" because he once kicked off his shoes to flee deputies chasing him in the woods. One of his admirers - a young, tattooed waitress at the Viking Restaurant in nearby Stanwood, on the mainland - says that one night last month, she saw a tall young man sprinting down the street. "He was barefoot, and he was laughing. I wanted it so much to be Colton...