Re: [DMCForum] Inappropriate Car Show Behavior?

["Ryan Wright" <ryanpwright@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 6/20/06, Jon Heese <dmcforum@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> It isn't illegal to call someone a name, but it is illegal to threaten
>  someone with violence or their property with damage.

Don't be so sure about that.

Have you ever known someone who had a restraining order against
another person? I have, and let me tell you: These people call names.
They make harassing phone calls. They threaten - sometimes they
threaten to kill you. You know what? The police and the courts don't
do a damned thing about it.

Women often get restraining orders against their estranged husbands,
and I have seen several high profile cases in the news over the years
where the man threatens repeatedly to kill the woman. The police grant
a restraining order but otherwise, they will do nothing. The victim is
told, "Well, when he actually shows up on your property, then we'll
respond."

IF Monty threatened Bob and IF Bob has some kind of proof of that,
then there is a slim chance Bob can get a restraining order against
Monty. That said, knowing Bob - between his physical appearance and
the manner in which he composes himself - I'd have a hard time
believing a judge would grant that restraining order unless Monty is
also the intimidating sort. Bob is obviously not afraid of Monty and,
generally speaking, a judge is looking for some sort of fear, or a
severe harassment situation, before he will grant a restraining order.

Bob certainly won't get any money, or even convince the police to pay
Monty a visit.

>  I agree that this will get absolutely nowhere, but nonetheless, Bob does
>  have a crime to report, whether it actually happened or not.

Like I said, I'm not so sure threatening someone is illegal, and I
know it's not a crime. It might be a misdemeanor in some states. Even
if it is, these laws rarely have teeth, and with Bob following Monty
around all weekend with the videocamera, no judge is going to side
with him.

-Ryan


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