I am with a group a friends that generally get along. We play ultimate frisbee and sometimes football at least twice a week and that helps me stay active. There is a guy in our group who used to be my friend, but I cut it with him after he punched my other friend for ****ing him off at frisbee. He has had other incidents where he punched other friends, and even got in a slap fight with his mom in front of us. I told him the next time he does that I will call the cops, and defend my friends. He has not done it since, and has remained friendly. But he has come close a couple times. I am curious what I should do in the event he punches someone again in front of me, he is even capable of hitting girls if he got angry enough. Yes he has an anger problem. My dad who is a police officer says I would be guilty of the same crime if I punched him after he punched someone else. My question to anyone willing to answer is what is the right thing in my situation to do? I ship July 20th, I don't want to get in trouble with the law or break any bones since my record is 100% clean. But I also don't want to go unpunished since no one ever does anything.
Jimnsc is totally correct. Sooner or later his anger will catch up with him and he'll have to pay for the consequences of his action so stay away from this guy or he'll drag you down with him. You'll have time enough to be a defender starting July 20th so enjoy these last few days of total freedom now by making positive life long memories you can share with your own Children when their time comes.
First, DO NOT strike, slap, hit him, or use any sort of force that will hurt, injure him in any way. Doing so can get you arrested for misdemeanor battery, even if you were defending yourself. Your ex-friend can say the same thing you did, then both of you are booked.
The best thing you can do is be a witness. Victims and witnesses should ask the cops if they can make a citizen's arrest. If a victim does not press charges, a witness can. Laws vary from city, county, parish, state... so I would double check with your dad or another cop.
