I know taht being a vigilante is illegal and I was doing some research on it. I could not find what the punishment was for being a vigilante jsut that it was illegal. I was wondering if anyone knew waht the penalty is. I know it is most likely different in most countries, states, or providences so waht I am looking for is the penalty in the U.S. and to be more specific the penalty for it in Michigan. Thanks!

Well, let's say that you are cited as being a vigilante by beating up two criminals that you know. You see them on the street, follow them, and then beat 'em down.

1. You might call yourself a hero, the cops will call you a vigilante at this point.
2. This is nothing more then assault, despite what you or the cops might hope.
3. It's very possible that the two you beat down will just walk away.


Let's turn this around a little bit.

You follow these two criminals and find them starting to break into a place - let's just say it's an electronic store. You come in, try to stop them, and wind up the victor. The cops come along and haul all of you to the station.

1. You could be getting in trouble for assault, though you could get away with something like citizens arrest or something like that.
2. The two guys that you took down, if there is evidence to back it up, will go down for a few misdemeanors.

You can get a more complete answer from your state's legal code, found in the stickied "references" at the top of this board.

AFAIK, vigilantism is only a crime if done in connection with something else. Simply wearing a mask is not illegal (exception: Georgia, due to some old klan busting statutes, it's technically illegal to wear a full mask or hood in public that conceals one's identity). Assault, battery, stalking, etc. are. (just taking Raven's example above) Penalties will, of course, vary by state.

x

Outlaw:

1. Fine point.

2. Please get a new uniform.

Assault with a weapon. Got roughly 6 months with good time and time served. No even a little bit sorry. Would do it again too.

If you don't let yourself get caught, what's the problem?

And if you aren't using a deadly weapon there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Of course... there are those out there that don't know how to run.

Not to stir up drama, but your answer has a distinct smell of overconfidence, Clockodile. I don't know you, so I'm not trying to say anything about your competence as a hero, but basing your entire legal defense on not "letting yourself get caught" seems to be asking for trouble. The more you know that you won't get caught, the more careless you will become.

Know that you're good, but never think that you're the best.

Generally speaking, if you get labeled as a vigilante, then it will be due to actions that you've taken that have gone too far. The real question should be: What actions are "out of line" and would classify me as a vigilante?

In the past, popular cases of vigilantism have been typically decorated with stalking, assault, and homicide (my big book o' knowledge defines it as: a human being killing another human being). Vigilantism is what we are not. We do not kill, we do not beat people up, we are not stalkers, we are not bullies. Our actions may be construed to look like a vigilantes though. Self-defense vs. Assault. Investigating vs. Stalking.

Don't jump in unless its something that needs handling right then and there, and there's no cops in sight. Period.

Then its Good Samaritan law all the way. Just follow the steps of citizens arrest for your area.

Or, snag their ID after you whoop them up and you can trail them later, at your leisure. Cause you KNOW they'll be getting into shit later on that you can just drop a tip on.

Trick is finding the douchebags and attaching yourself to them so they can lead you to bigger stuff. In that case, bait patrols work, if you have a willing friend to play the rich, helpless and possibly "drunk" bait, continually dropping their wallet, or simply staggering down the street.

The only good thing I can say about the law in my country, is that if I were to perform the act of Vigilantism, I would only get support....right before that guy's 'boys' come looking for me.

A year or two ago, 2 guys attempted to steal someones harvested/processed crop from them. Strong-arm style. While attempting to flee the scene the person that had been robbed shot both subjects with a shotgun.... one he killed, the other could no longer flee. When taken to court, the survivor was convicted of the man-slaughter of his friend. The person robbed had a prescription for marijuana and in California he has the right to defend his home and family.

True story.

I am in no way condoning the actions taken or the course of events. I am merely relaying this information for your' contemplation.

About a month ago, a man convicted of murder killed somebody in a neighboring island. He was apprehended by police and shortly after he received bail. He already killed somebody before. We need a hero...me...and some reinforcement.

I almost forgot about him, tis a shame the people only liked him because he gave them protection and the like.

Flowers guy? Who's he?

I think what constitutes vigilantism is breaking the law for what you perceive to be the better good.
Like if I started destroying property or setting fire to meth houses. Granted the house is a criminal house but I can be arrested for arson.