
Quoting
sethmachine
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts
Hi,
An older sibling of mine moved into our family home this summer. I will refer to this person as X.
Since X has moved in, X has been very abusive to every other member of our household. X throws tantrums and fits, constantly screams, and destroys the house property (e.g. throwing objects, leaving holes/marks in walls). X claims to have a debilitating physical disability and also post traumatic stress syndrome, but this is a self-diagnosis not made by any medical professional. X also claims that marijuana is X's medicine and consequently X smokes it excessively. X also takes LSD, which I believe is illegal. X refuses to voluntarily check in a hospital to get mentally evaluated. X also has no job or work. When X does not get what X wants, X throws an aforementioned tantrum.
X has assaulted physically members of the household numerous times. These primarily include spitting on people's faces with a saliva/mucus projectile and also throw cups and other objects at people, some of which have hit. X also constantly yells at family members in spite of being asked to stop. The damage X has done to the household is visible: X slams doors constantly (causing door knobs to loosen), X has torn up treasured books owned by family members, and X has smoked marijuana in almost every room, causing the house to smell like it cannabis 24/7.
I spoke with X's counselor, who told me the only thing I (or a family member) can do is call 911 or get a restraining order.
If I call 911, am I supposed to call preemptively (just as X might be starting a violent tantrum) or during the tantrum (and hope X is still throwing a fit)? What do I say to the operator (that I am scared for my well being?)?
What about getting a restraining order? I have numerous pictures of the damage X has done, along with recordings of X's tantrums (but can these be presented as evidence?).
If I find X's cache of LSD inside the house, can I call the police or DEA to have X arrested? Would they just fine X or would they take her to the hospital to get mentally evaluated?
I have no idea how to handle this situation, but it has seriously degraded my physical and mental well being and I am very scared of X because of X's frequent violent outbreaks.
Please advise.