Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

self defense

I have been harrassed by people in the town where i go to college and recieved threats i have gotten a restraining order but nothing else has been done by the police. i have been told that i cannot carry pepper spray or mace. Is there anything i can carry to protect myself from potential attackers?


Asked on 2/21/01, 10:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Donald G. Rehkopf, Jr. Brenna, Brenna & Boyce, PLLC

Re: self defense

You do not mention a couple of important factors. First, "harassment" is a vague term and it is important to know just what it is that these folks are doing to you. It may be a crime and if so, you would then have the option of bringing criminal charges for such illegal conduct.

Second, you do not mention where you go to school and the name of such. Different colleges have different rules and what might be legal off-campus, e.g., pepper spray, could be prohibited on campus. You don't say who told you that you cannot carry pepper spray [Mace generally requires a license or to be a law enforcement officer] - was it the police or campus authorities?

Finally, and this is important to a lawyer, why are these people harassing you? You may also have civil remedies, but you would have to sit down and talk about all of this with a lawyer who handles "personal injury" types of cases. While you have not been physically injured according to your question, obviously this is causing you mental and emotional distress which MAY provide some legal basis for relief.

Please contact a lawyer directly - then your communications are privileged and protected by the attorney-client privilege, which does not apply in this forum.

Good Luck,

Donald G. Rehkopf, Jr.

Attorney at Law

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Answered on 4/04/01, 12:20 pm


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