Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

I was having a party at my house, and when I asked some people to leave they refused, my boyfriend tried to escort them out. A fight broke out, and one guy ended up on top of my boyfriend punching him in his face. I tried to get the guy off of my boyfriend, and when pushing him did nothing to diffuse the situation, I hit the guy in the face. He went to the hospital for a bloody nose, that was just badly bruised, and is telling me that I have to pay his medical bills or he will take me to court, and have the courts force me to pay his medical bills, his lawyer fees, and money for pain and suffering. I was wondering if it is my responsibility to pay his hospital bills, and if he is even capable of wining this case, since the incident happened in my home, he refused to leave, and I was defending myself and my boyfriend?


Asked on 9/21/09, 7:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

My guess is that he's claiming that things happened differently from what you are saying. So, it will be a fact finding decision for the court (Judge). The outcome will be determined by who presents the best evidence. So gather your witnesses that support your side of the story and make sure they are available for court for you. If you get declarations from them it may make the trespasser (his right to be at your home had been revoked) and possible burglar (a burglary is trespass plus any other crime...like assault) leave you alone. Also, you may wish to report him to the police for the assault to your boyfriend.

At your service,

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Answered on 9/28/09, 2:29 pm


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