Quick summary: my dad was attacked at my house in Los Angeles. He was in the hospital and almost didn’t make it, and now he’s dealing with brain damage. Our DA offered a super light plea deal, which just gives the attacker 30 days in jail. We tried everything, talked to the DA, the Head DA, victim advocates, no one’s listening. We have court this week, and it looks like the attacker’s taking the deal.
Justice feels impossible around here, and a civil suit isn’t an option since the attacker has no assets left and moved his money to others.
Here’s my question: After he takes the deal, would I get in trouble if I made a website exposing him? I’d want to show what he did, footage of the assault, and his criminal record. Also, his kids go to a school nearby, and I was thinking about putting up flyers around the school to warn people about him.
Is it legal for me to do this since I’d only be using public records and facts?
Since he moved his cash to others, if that was done to dodge responsibility, it might count as fraud and could be undone.
Your dad might also have a case against the homeowner if there’s a connection between their negligence and the attack. But this might not work if he’s part of the household. It could help to talk to a lawyer about these possibilities.
@Cass
Thanks for the tip. We already tried going the insurance route, but they told us our policy doesn’t cover anything since it wasn’t a theft or property damage.
Brad said: @Cass
Thanks for the tip. We already tried going the insurance route, but they told us our policy doesn’t cover anything since it wasn’t a theft or property damage.
They’ll definitely say that because it’s in their interest. A lawyer might be able to get around that; they’ll be working for you, not the insurance company.
If you publish something, yes, someone could try to sue you. But as long as you’re sticking to the truth, you have a good defense. Insurance companies tend to say you aren’t covered, but it’s worth checking with a personal injury lawyer who’ll usually give a free consult. If they think there’s a case, they’d probably work on contingency.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad. That’s just awful. Exposing the attacker is a big move, but please consider getting legal advice first. Lawyers can help you understand what’s okay to post and what could be risky.
@Sloan
We don’t advise reaching out to the media or sharing details publicly. Doing that can lead to other complications. Always consult a lawyer before making things public, especially on social media.
For more, check out our rules to understand our advice policies.
Posting anything on school property would likely lead to charges against you, especially if you don’t have kids enrolled there. You could get hit with harassment or trespassing charges. Bringing kids into it is not a good idea. No matter what their dad did, they’re not responsible.
I’m a lawyer, though this isn’t legal advice. Please don’t involve his kids’ school. Posting things there might make their lives harder, even if it hurts him. Kids didn’t do anything wrong. I’m really sorry for what happened to your dad. You might still want to check in with a personal injury lawyer.
It’s understandable that you want justice, but be cautious. A public shaming could bring you legal trouble. Consulting a lawyer on how to proceed safely is your best bet.
Sloan said:
It’s understandable that you want justice, but be cautious. A public shaming could bring you legal trouble. Consulting a lawyer on how to proceed safely is your best bet.
Your comment was removed because it gives poor legal advice. Making anything public like this can have serious consequences and often requires careful legal guidance. Please see our rules for what’s allowed here before commenting.