Misdirection: A Vital Tool for Self-Defense

[LoneWolf1]

The thing is the system isn't always just, it's like the burglar who broke into a persons home, tripped and cut himself on knives left on the counter. He ended up charging the homeowner with criminal neglegence and winning. Just because there is a law against it doesn't mean that the law is just there's even an obscure law in Canada that says you can shoot a native in a covered wagon. These days it isn't the person who's innocent or not it's the one who has biggest wallet and best lawyer. Even though your intentions may be good are you willing to be charged with excessive force or even assualt just because you wanted to stick around and tell the police what happened. IMHO after a fight get the hell outta there. As for misdirection it all works well in theory, but after a few drinks how well do you think you can pretend that you can't fight but still be able to, chances are pretty slim.

[Pastyti]

The thing is the system isn't always just, it's like the burglar who broke into a persons home, tripped and cut himself on knives left on the counter. He ended up charging the homeowner with criminal neglegence and winning. Just because there is a law against it doesn't mean that the law is just there's even an obscure law in Canada that says you can shoot a native in a covered wagon. These days it isn't the person who's innocent or not it's the one who has biggest wallet and best lawyer. Even though your intentions may be good are you willing to be charged with excessive force or even assualt just because you wanted to stick around and tell the police what happened. IMHO after a fight get the hell outta there. As for misdirection it all works well in theory, but after a few drinks how well do you think you can pretend that you can't fight but still be able to, chances are pretty slim.

If you do as you have suggested and "get the hell out of there" this shows an unbelievable cowardice or alternatively arrogance. Ie, either you are afraid that the law might catch you out and in fact you were wrong all the time, or you have just taken the law into your own hands (illegal) and are showing your arrogance by leaving the scene of a crime, which in the eyes of the law you have committed, (also illegal). At least in England. Further have you not heard of CCTV, in England most areas are well covered by the police survailance cameras, which you will appear on, rather like Candid Camera. In taking your stance you are in effect saying you are ABOVE the law, not only arragant, but conceited as well. We are ALL bound by the laws of our respective countries, they are there for our BENEFIT. Perhaps you might consider getting a better lawyer. The laws are just, in that they are made by our elected representatives, and if you are not able to accept that fact, perhaps you might consider moving to a country which is run by a dictatorship. In taking the stance you have you give off strong indications that you lean towards anarchy, or perhaps you consider might is right? The law is there for ALL our benefit and as such we need to All be aware of our need to remain within its confines and strictures. Comments please.

[LoneWolf1]

No I'm not so afraid of making a police stement and accepting the consequences I'd be more afraid of buddy's boys coming over and taking a piece out of me. Also I should have been a little more specific, I would get the hell out of there if the person who was injured by me was not seriosly hurt. I think your going a little out there saying that I'm some sort anarchist. I'm only stating that there are some laws that are not just, for the most part they are but there are a few occasions where they definatley are not. Let me give you an example of how the law can be manipulated by money. A guy I knew sold pills, one night while all jacked he was pulled over by a cop, they searched him and found 34 e pills. 2 months later he was in court and being charged for possession with intent to sell, but guess what he got off free. Why, he spent 10g on a lawyer who got him off on a technicality (Something about the cop not having the right to search him in the first place). Now you tell me is that just, so before you go off calling me an anarchist take a little moment and think to yourself maybe the government isn't always right, after all the're only people. Whatever u decide keep it to yourself we're getting way to off topic.

[moyboy]

I read one time of a Kali artist who got some brand new escrima sticks. Some guy came u and tried to mug/rape/assault, him. He took advantage of this situation to test out his new toys. Obviously the guy came around and slaped some excessive force law suit on him. At the trial, he brought in a dummy and showed that what he did on the guy wasn't anything near the extent of what he could pull and got off on the fact that it wasn't EXCESSIVE.

Comment.

[marko_b]

Im havnt posted in a while, Im kind of a silent reader, but just a thought on this matter; I was taught it is better for you to be carged with accessive force than the other guy being charged with your murder. Just a thought.

[Pastyti]

Why oh why can you not accept that we ALL have to act 'WITHIN' the law of our lands? Not to exceed them, or to act in a manner which will be offensive to either our police service's or our fellow countrymen, who will be serving on a jury, ot to the (maybe) politically correct judiciary? We elect our respective governments and as such it is immaterial if we agree or disargee with their making of laws on our behalf, we have to abide by those laws.

For example, I may want to drive down the road at 100 MPH, but, it is against the law of the country in which I live, therefore, if I break that law I will be punished for so doing. If in a different set of circumstances I break the law by say, breaking someones leg, arm or any other part of him or her in so called "self defence" and that action is veiwed by the police and judiciary as being illegal I must expect to be held accountable for my actions. I therefore, have a legal and moral duty to society to stay and wait for the police to come to the scene and to explain my actions.

Remember also that most towns and cities nowadays have a majority coverage of CCTV, as do most nightclubs, hotels, bars and other places of business. So let us assume that your image is captured on CCTV and in the meanwhile you have 'made good your escape', there may be also some whitnesses to the fraca. By running away from the scene of a crime, you have immediately put yourself at a dissadvantage in legal terms, because it is in itself a crime to leave the scene of a crime, particularly when that crime involves a violent act, and you are pervceved as being the perpetrator. IE, if you were inocent then you would have no reason the leave the scene.

To extend my rational, assume you are found to be guilty? You would more likely than not serve at least some 'time', you would also now have a criminal record. You would already have lost your job owing to your time in prison, ( an employer is not bound to hold your job open for you if your 'inside', unlike materinty leave) and you are most unlikely to obtain gainful employment upon your release from legal custody. How in the name of God are you going to support yourself and those which you proport to 'love', pay your bills and so on, when you make your return to the 'free world'?

Perhaps a life of crime becons to you?

Please think about this, as it is most important. For a split seconds ill fated judgement, you may have totally messed up your future life.

[koto_ryu]

Make the most noise. While you're striking and grappling with the guy, yell stuff like "Ohmigod, he's attacking me!" and "Won't somebody stop him?", "Leave me alone!", and things of that nature. Witnesses tend to automatically side with those they feel were the defensive party, and you yelling that only improves your chances. Now, you can't be yelling that stuff while you've got him in your mount and you're playing a drum solo on his face with your fists, but it definitely helps in the right situation.

[SamTheMan]

Bit of a bummer really - Its hard to claim self defence when the other guys K/o'd on the floor. And what is it that both (or more) parties of a fight claim when the police turn up? Everyone says it was self defence. It usually comes down to the good ole "who started it" idea, but this is vetoed when the assailant has broken legs - becoming exessive force.

I think that the best thing to do is what my mate mike did - two guys walk up to him and try to mug him. He pulls his rattan out an 1 runs away. The other tried to punch him with a duster but mike dodges and whacks the guys arms and fleshy bits where he wont do much damage (note he avoided the face) until the other guy has had enough, and runs away. Noone gets mugged and noone gets done for exessive force. Theres no need to do a devastating move on some drunken bum you could use the simplest of moves on.