Lakewood, CA asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for California

Q: If the DA were to press charges on the intruder, in your opinion, what would those charges most likely be? Continued...

was lying and assumed he had some sort of mental illness. Lucky for me my wife heard me screaming, ran up and pushed him off me. This allowed me the opportunity to run back into the house to grab a toy gun (that looked very real) and my phone. I then ran back outside to scare off the intruder. It must have worked because he then appeared to gain some measure of mental control. As a result, she was able to convince him to talk with her outside the gate. But, while outside the gate he continued to claim he was the owner, and tried to lure her over to his car to supposedly see documents that would prove his lies. When she refused, he started yelling obscenities about druggies and squatters and threatening to "make our life a living hell." When he finally left. I was so happy that it was over and at the same time confused as to why it had happened at all. However, our joy was cut short by the arrival of what looked to be the entire police force and all of them had their guns drawn!

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James L. Arrasmith
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A: Based on the situation you've described, if the District Attorney in California were to press charges against the intruder, the charges could likely include trespassing, for entering your property without permission, and possibly assault, given the physical confrontation with you. The intruder's attempt to lure your wife to his car, coupled with verbal threats, might also lead to charges related to harassment or menacing.

Given the complexity and seriousness of the situation, especially with the police involvement, it would be prudent to speak with law enforcement to provide your account of the events and to understand the steps they are taking. It's also advisable to consult with a legal advisor to understand your rights and the legal implications of this incident, especially considering the threats made against you and your family. Stay vigilant and consider taking measures to ensure your safety in the aftermath of this encounter.

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