High School Fights

1985rampage · #1 02-27-2009, 02:01 PM

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida

Hi,
My friend and I got into an argument over facebook with these kids about one of the pictures we were in. The two kids go to a different high school and were talking crap so we exchanged words.

These kids now want to fight us, which I believe is mutual combat? Im 18, my friend is 17, and these two kids are both 16 or 17 I believe (we are all relatively the same size).

My question is, Can I get in any legal trouble if we actually do end up fighting? The kids both are asking to fight so if we all agreed on mutual combat can I get charges brought upon me?

This might go down tonight so I really need an answer!

Thanks

aardvarc · #2 02-27-2009, 02:24 PM

Nope. Everyone involved can go to jail and face criminal charges. You are likely to be the one getting the brutal end of the legal stick, because you are a legal adult, battering a minor, which carries enhanced penalties (you'd get to be the new fish at the county jail, the others would be released to their parents). Just because someone is asking you to commit a crime, doesn't make it ok if you DO it. You're older than them. Act like it.

1985rampage · #3 02-27-2009, 02:30 PM

Alright even if its mutual combat? Say we fought and cops dont show and nothing happens, but a week later the parents want to file charges...

Can I still get in trouble even though I have online recordings and messages of threats and the kid saying hes gonna kill me?

divemedic · #4 02-27-2009, 06:47 PM

You may be 18, but you are acting like you are 12. Yes, it is still a crime.

In fact, you have already violated Florida Law.

Quote:

784.011 Assault.--

(1) An "assault" is an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.

(2) Whoever commits an assault shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

aardvarc · #5 02-27-2009, 07:52 PM

If the kid is saying he is going to kill you, the appropriate response is to report that assault to law enforcement, NOT to take the law into your own hands. You'll lose this arguement in court every time. And yes, any of the parents of the minor can report the incident (and you'd get a separate criminal charge for EACH person injured).