Q: Scenario: I manage a grocery store, And one of my employees were going to their car on a break.
When a homeless man picked up a rock from out parking lot and started to attack her, I ran over and pushed the guy off of her. A week later I was given a subpeona to appear in court to testify as a witness, AFTER the incident occurs I find out the man is mentally ill.
Ultimately my question is, Is there a chance that I will be charged with any type of criminal or assault charge?
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A:
In this situation, you acted to protect your employee from an immediate threat. Your actions were in defense of another person, which is generally considered justified under the law. Self-defense and defense of others are legal principles that allow the use of reasonable force to prevent harm.
Given that the homeless man was attacking your employee with a rock, your intervention by pushing him off was a reasonable response to stop the attack. The fact that the attacker is mentally ill does not necessarily change the legality of your actions, as you were responding to the immediate danger presented.
It is unlikely that you will be charged with a criminal or assault charge, as your actions were aimed at protecting someone from harm. However, it's important to cooperate with the legal process and provide your testimony as a witness. If you have concerns about potential legal repercussions, consulting with a legal professional can offer additional peace of mind and guidance.
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