[jman123]

Hey, im currently doing research for a debate, should NHL enforce more severe fines/suspenions for fighting and is it bad for the game....

Where can i get some good info on what somone can actually be charged for, for assault/battery on a person (even with a weapon - hockey stick).

I want to use an example of a person on the street using a hockey stick to hit someone from behind, and what there legal ramifications would be, compared to what happens to someone in the NHL.

any help would be great.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You mean, what a player can be charged with? Or what somebody who isn't a player could be charged with?

[jman123]

what an average person could be charged with if they walked up on the street and hit someone with a hockey stick

im tryin to show how the act of hitting someone from behind with a stick is NOT part of the game, and they (a player) should punished by the law for it.

[aaron]

Horseplay, fouling, and other questionable conduct can be part of the game.

A person who hit another person from behind with a hockey stick could be charged with a wide range of offenses, depending upon their intention, the injury caused, state law, and prosecutorial discretion. Possible charges would include assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, felonious assault, assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, or even manslaughter (or another murder charge) if the victim died.

[cdwjava]

Depending on the state, there could be a section preventing the charging of battery against someone involved in a sprting contest. I know we have that one out here ... though I suppose it's questionable if it would apply if the person doing the striking struck the other party with the intent to do physical harm unrelated to the game.

Check your state codes for laws covering sporting events and battery.

- Carl

[Fxston]

If certain behavior is a regular part of a sport, then one is consenting to the conduct by playing the game.

The way to stop "bad sportsmanship" is to get the rules changed.