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Alarm goes off at neighbor's house, friend checks it out, is stopped and handcuffed

jackrockblc

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Messages
256
Location
Jefferson County, CO
It's my understanding that the LEO is correct. Even Castle Doctrine rarely protects somebody in their OWN home, if the homeowner was outside, found the door open, then went inside.

The basic idea is that your friend went into the threat area, instead of the BG threatening your friend.

JackRock
 
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Primus

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
3,939
Location
United States
It's my understanding that the LEO is correct. Even Castle Doctrine rarely protects somebody in their OWN home, if the homeowner was outside, found the door open, then went inside.

The basic idea is that your friend went into the threat area, instead of the BG threatening your friend.

JackRock

Agreed. But I guess it would be state dependent. I suppose if a state had a stand your ground law that didn't require you to retreat then you could use that as a defense. But I still say clearing the house is going above and beyond the scope of that defense.

It'd be like responding to a bank robbery because your wife works there. Could you fly across town because she called you or your heard it on the news? Could you then insert yourself in danger and shoot the robber legally and claim defense of others?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 

jackrockblc

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Messages
256
Location
Jefferson County, CO
Agreed. But I guess it would be state dependent. I suppose if a state had a stand your ground law that didn't require you to retreat then you could use that as a defense. But I still say clearing the house is going above and beyond the scope of that defense.

It'd be like responding to a bank robbery because your wife works there. Could you fly across town because she called you or your heard it on the news? Could you then insert yourself in danger and shoot the robber legally and claim defense of others?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Exactly. Standing your ground is one thing. Actively advancing into danger from a position of relative safety is entirely different. Hence, my earlier response about what Castle Doctrine surprisingly doesn't protect (in some jurisdictions).

JackRock
 

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
...Even Castle Doctrine rarely protects somebody in their OWN home...

Please look at the whole sentence, not a fragment.

...Even Castle Doctrine rarely protects somebody in their OWN home, if the homeowner was outside, found the door open, then went inside....
(my bold)

I misread it due to poor punctuation. Okay, I still disagree. On what court decisions do you base your conclusion?
 
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stealthyeliminator

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
3,100
Location
Texas
Agreed. But I guess it would be state dependent. I suppose if a state had a stand your ground law that didn't require you to retreat then you could use that as a defense. But I still say clearing the house is going above and beyond the scope of that defense.

It'd be like responding to a bank robbery because your wife works there. Could you fly across town because she called you or your heard it on the news? Could you then insert yourself in danger and shoot the robber legally and claim defense of others?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Rightfully? Absolutely, without question. Legally? TBD.
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
"Castle" doctrine may or may not apply, depending on state and circumstances.

But most "no duty to retreat" (often poorly misnamed as "Stand Your Ground") laws would apply.
 
B

Bikenut

Guest
Some food for thought....

If you came home and your own front door/back door was open or a window was broken would you "clear" your own house or wait for the cops?

And if you would wait for the cops at your own house why would you go "clear" the neighbors house instead of waiting for the cops?
 

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
Valid questions, but it is still your decision, not a cop's, to make.

It may be something very easy to "clear" and determining that no one is there and a door was accidentally left open will save a lot of cop's time to do more important things.

The cop may not be any better or safer at "clearing" it, anyway. Why risk a public servant for your own security lapses?

I am NOT saying you should "clear" the house. I'm saying it is your call to make.

Here is an outstanding anecdote about what can happen if you call the cops to clear it for you: http://www.reviewjournal.com/vin-suprynowicz/handcuffed-disarmed-obeying-law
 
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