Legal Question in Criminal Law in Georgia

I was working the night my store became the target of an armed robbery. Two men came in with guns and robbed our store. Even had a customer present at the time. The men still have not been caught. When they are caught, can I sue them for endangering my life during the commission of their robbery?


Asked on 11/06/11, 11:47 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

Sure ou can sue anyone for anything. It would be a very foolish suit, but yes, you can spend tens of thousands of dollars to sue criminals who will have no assets or income to recover against, since they will be in prison. (If you do win, you likely win $1, which is known as nominal damages, because unless you were actually hurt, you have no actual damages).

So you decide, is it worth it to spend tens of thousands of dollars to attempt to win a judgment for one dollar that you probably cannot collect?

My suggestion: focus your efforts in helping the police capture and prosecute the robbers. The civil suit really would not make sense.

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Answered on 11/06/11, 12:05 pm
Lawrence Lewis Lawrence Lewis, P.C.

Sure you can, but clearly you are not that bright. How much money do you think folks that rob stores at gunpoint have. How many investment properties? If they are convicted, they will spend a minimum of ten years in prison. If they have committed more robberies, they may spend 20 or 30 years in prison. Can you wait 30 years for your lawsuit?

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Answered on 11/06/11, 1:09 pm


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