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King County Prosecutor's Office - Self Defense friendly

Aaron1124

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[align=left]"Thank you for contacting the King County Prosecutor's Office regarding the defense of your home from a burglar and the justifiable homicide statute. We appreciate hearing from you on this important topic.[/align] [align=left]Washington State lawclearly gives a homeowner the right to use all necessary force to repel the invasion of their home.Our office has not charged a homeowner for using force against a burglarin the past.[/align] [align=left][/align] [align=left]However, every case must be reviewed on its own facts for whether the use of force was reasonable and necessary before we apply the justifiable homicide statute. We oftenencounter cases where the level offorce used in response to the level of threat posed is unreasonable and unnecessary. Wewould review every use of force caseindependently.[/align] [align=left][/align] [align=left]I hope this information has been helpful.[/align] [align=left][/align] [align=left]Sincerely,[/align] [align=left][/align] [align=left]Ian Goodhew[/align] [align=left]King County Prosecutor's Office"
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Aaron1124

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Oh, I apologize. I should have included my original email with the post. Basically, I asked him how much of a "gray area" the justifiable homicide statue is, and asked if a home owner would have any criminal repercussions to worry about in the use of lethal force on an invader.
 

Jayd1981

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Reading it again with that in mind, it makes a lot more sense. Well in that case, I'm glad they have not charged a homeowner in those circumstances. Try not to be the first.
 

Aaron1124

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Oh wow, didn't even see that. I PMed that to him a long time ago when he was asking about it, although it certainly wasn't titled "Mr Bader".

I haven't seen his postings lately, but I'd like to make it clear that the email was NOT addressed to him. That was posted directly after I PMed him.
 

BigDave

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RCW 9A.16.050Homicide — By other person — When justifiable.
Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(1) In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.


The RCW seems pretty clear and this would cover if you are in a tent camping, cabin, staying in a motor home, in a hotel and so on.
 

Aaron1124

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BigDave wrote:
RCW 9A.16.050Homicide — By other person — When justifiable.
Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(1) In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.


The RCW seems pretty clear and this would cover if you are in a tent camping, cabin, staying in a motor home, in a hotel and so on.
It says "Commit a felony". A felony isn't necessarily a violent crime. So if you see a major drug deal going down, and you use lethal force, you can get off on justifiable homicide? Might sound like a stupid question, but it's what the RCW says. How exactly is that interpreted?
 

BigDave

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Aaron1124 wrote:
BigDave wrote:
RCW 9A.16.050Homicide — By other person — When justifiable.
Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(1) In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.


The RCW seems pretty clear and this would cover if you are in a tent camping, cabin, staying in a motor home, in a hotel and so on.
It says "Commit a felony". A felony isn't necessarily a violent crime. So if you see a major drug deal going down, and you use lethal force, you can get off on justifiable homicide? Might sound like a stupid question, but it's what the RCW says. How exactly is that interpreted?

First the answer to your question "So if you see a major drug deal going down, and you use lethal force, you can get off on justifiable homicide?" as I see and read the RCW is NO

You must keep the sentence intact and not piece it up as you have with "Commit a Felony" instead of how it reads.

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer,

in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.

Hopefully this helps.
 

BigDave

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Aaron1124 wrote:
Keyword there is "Upon". Gotcha.
Well partially.

RCW 9A.16.050Homicide — By other person — When justifiable.
Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(2)
In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer,

This reads to me as in the act to commit a felony upon you.



in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.


This reads to me, is where every you are legally able to reside from walking down the street to your motor home, apartment, hotel etc and your place of abode.
 

Aaron1124

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3/325

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So, I have to pose this hypothetical: If I see a dealer trying to sell my kid drugs (committing a felony "upon" my child) is it justifiable to
thoroughly neutralize this scum-sucking threat? Or is it just tremendously and temporarily satisfying?
 

Aaron1124

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3/325 wrote:
So, I have to pose this hypothetical: If I see a dealer trying to sell my kid drugs (committing a felony "upon" my child) is it justifiable to
thoroughly neutralize this scum-sucking threat? Or is it just tremendously and temporarily satisfying?
I am no expert on the topic, but in theory, it looks like it would fall under the statute. Of course, it would be up to the prosecutor to bring up charges and the judge or jury to find you guilty. No idea how they would view that.
 

BigDave

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This is something for you should become familiar with.

Your post is to vague to determine an appropriate action.

[line]
RCW 9A.16.050Homicide — By other person — When justifiable.
Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(1) In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.

[line]
Part IV. Defenses
WPIC CHAPTER 16. Justifiable Homicide

WPIC 16.05 Necessary—Definition

Necessary means that, under the circumstances as they reasonably appeared to the actor at the time, (1) no reasonably effective alternative to the use of force appeared to exist and (2) the amount of force used was reasonable to effect the lawful purpose intended. NOTE ON USE

Use this instruction when the word “necessary” is used in instructions relating to defenses in WPIC Chapters 16 and 17.

[line]
Part IV. Defenses
WPIC CHAPTER 17. Lawful Force—Charges Other Than Homicide


WPIC 17.02 Lawful Force—Defense of Self, Others, Property

It is a defense to a charge of __________ that the force [used][attempted][offered to be used] was lawful as defined in this instruction. [The [use of][attempt to use][offer to use] force upon or toward the person of another is lawful when [used][attempted][offered] [by a person who reasonably believes that [he][she] is about to be injured] [by someone lawfully aiding a person who [he][she] reasonably believes is about to be injured] in preventing or attempting to prevent an offense against the person, and when the force is not more than is necessary.] [The [use of][attempt to use][offer to use] force upon or toward the person of another is lawful when [used][attempted][offered] in preventing or attempting to prevent a malicious trespass or other malicious interference with real or personal property lawfully in that person's possession, and when the force is not more than is necessary.] The person [using][or][offering to use] the force may employ such force and means as a reasonably prudent person would use under the same or similar conditions as they appeared to the person, taking into consideration all of the facts and circumstances known to the person at the time of [and prior to] the incident. The [State][City][County] has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the force [used][attempted][offered to be used] by the defendant was not lawful. If you find that the [State][City][County] has not proved the absence of this defense beyond a reasonable doubt, it will be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty [as to this charge]. NOTE ON USE

Use this instruction in any case in which this defense is an issue supported by the evidence. Use bracketed material as applicable. Use this instruction for any charge other than homicide or attempted homicide. If homicide is involved, use WPIC 16.02, Justifiable Homicide—Defense of Self and Others. With this instruction, use WPIC 16.05, Necessary—Definition. Also use, as applicable, WPIC 2.13, Malice—Maliciously—Definition. If there is an issue whether the defendant was the aggressor, use WPIC 16.04, Aggressor—Defense of Self, or WPIC 16.04.01, Aggressor—Defense of Others.
 

sudden valley gunner

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3/325 wrote:
So, I have to pose this hypothetical: If I see a dealer trying to sell my kid drugs (committing a felony "upon" my child) is it justifiable to
thoroughly neutralize this scum-sucking threat? Or is it just tremendously and temporarily satisfying?
I think before you start shooting drug dealers you need have a long talk with your kids.
 

Aaron1124

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Forgot to add that my primary reason to make this thread was to show that if you rightfully shoot an intruder, and you live in King County, chances are, you won't need to make any sort of case to prove your innocence to a jury.
 
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