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HosstownRodriguez t1_isx0d0f wrote

Reply to comment by MixmasterMatt in Catalytic converter stolen again by Internal_Position_49

You cannot. Forget BPD. They could sue you in civil court if you did this and win damages.

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Willothwisp2303 t1_isxk6nj wrote

Imagine asking the city residents who are beleaguered by cat thieves to give money to them.

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brewtonone t1_isxe7wg wrote

You can sue if you get injured committing a crime?

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AndChewBubblegum t1_isxgpc1 wrote

If it's the result of another crime that they can show you're responsible for? Absolutely.

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mzm316 t1_isxuta3 wrote

I just don’t understand this at all. I mean I understand the legality, but why would it be a crime for you to put a theft deterrent on your own property? And if they sue you, can’t you sue back or something since you can also prove they were committing theft of your property? Or call the police since you have proof of the attempted crime? This just baffles me.

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HosstownRodriguez t1_isxx3zp wrote

If the 'theft deterrent' has the intent to capture or injure someone, like a boob trap does, then it's illegal. IANAL, you can sue anyone for any reason you want, and you can always call the police, but you can't try to hurt someone for attempting to steal your property. If they sustain injuries, they can seek compensation for those damages in civil court. The podcast Criminal just did a great episode on this subject entitled Mantrap. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FboChY5yBDvyDPdqp4yUd?si=415573421f574786

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mzm316 t1_isxz25c wrote

Even if it’s non-lethal? Wow, that’s absolutely crazy.

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HosstownRodriguez t1_isxztcd wrote

Well what sort of thing are you imagining as a non lethal booby trap? The big problem is usually it’s totally non discriminatory, and can go horribly wrong. For example it it’s a spray paint can attached to your undercarriage so if you think someone is stealing your converter it makes them…a ball rolls under your car and a kid goes to grab it and all of a sudden gets sprayed in the eye, that’s not good.

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sciencesold t1_isyed9y wrote

You can if the booby trap doesn't cause harm to them. An alarm and/or something that inhibits them from running away would be perfectly legal.

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