Ok, understood,
I agree with you. You should never do anything that you are unwilling to admit to, or own up to.
I also understand where he is coming from though. The police are sometimes so worried about closing a case, that they are blind to what really happened. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, could cause more problems than taking off. Not everybody has a way with words.
On a side note to this. When I was younger I was at a bar with some of my friends and a fight broke out. We weren't involved so we didnt care, and just hung out. About an hour later, the guy that lost came back with some buddies and tried tearing the place apart. We got out, but I learned my lesson. Now anytime I'm at a bar, or anywhere, and a fight breaks out, I get out of there. You never know what a sore looser is capable of doing. So I would say that unless you're positive that the cops are showing up any second, it might just be better to tell the bartender that your going home, and leave. Believe me, the cops will find you no matter where you are if they know who you are.
from the article
Quote:
Self-defence and the law.
As important as the law may be, contemplating the legal implications of defending your self in the face of ensuing attack would be unwise. It can cause indecision, which usually leads to defeat.
I call the law the second enemy: this is not meant disparagingly, but, having been on the wrong side of it a few times I feel duty bound to highlight the inherent dangers of dealing with - what can be - a sticky judicial system, post-assault.
Many people are convicted for what they say and not what they do. This means you could legally defend yourself and yet still be convicted and sent to jail (do not pass go...) if you don't claim self-defence (correctly) when giving a statement to the police. Many of my friends ended up in prison because they didn't understand the law. Paradoxically many known criminals have avoided prison because they (or certainly their solicitors) did. So, if self-defence is your aim, then an appreciation of this judicial grey area has to be an imperative.
Post-assault, you'll probably be suffering from what is known as adrenal-induced Tachypsychia. This can cause time distortion, time loss, memory distortion and memory loss. You may also feel the innate urge to talk, if only to justify your actions (Logorrhoea). All of the latter affect your ability to make an objective statement if the police become involved. When/if you do make a statement it is hardly likely to be accurate considering these facts. Six months down the line when you end up in court to defend your right to self-defence, everything will hang on your statement. So make sure you're clear about your rights. If you're not clear, insist on waiting until the next day before making a statement or ask to see a duty solicitor (or your own). It's your right. Don't put pen to paper otherwise. A police cell can be a very lonely place when you're not used to it, and the police can often be guilty of rushing, even pressuring you for a quick statement. This pressure can be subtle but effective; being left alone for long periods of time, being told that you might be sent to prison, even the good cop-bad cop routine (yes, honestly). Many a tough guy has turned from hard to lard after a few hours surrounded by those four grey walls. Under these circumstances it's very easy to say things you really don't want to say, just so that you can go home.
If you have to defend your self and you damage your assailant my advice is not to hang around after the dirty deed has been done. This minimises the risk of legal (or other) repercussions. Attack victims (especially those who successfully defended them selves) often feel compelled to stay at the scene of crime post assault. Do your self a favour; make like Houdini and vanish? Your life and your liberty might be at stake. Better still don't be there in the first place, that way you won't have to worry about long months waiting for the court case and the possibility of suffering from a sever loss of liberty.
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