Homeowner Jailed While the Burglar He Attacked Walks Free

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Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

There are few scenarios as disturbing as one’s home being burglarized or invaded. The thought of having an uninvited person enter your property while you are home or not, and then taking your stuff, holding you or your family hostage or committing violent acts is an unthinkable event most people are unprepared for.

A “home invasion”, is the crime of entering a private and occupied dwelling, with the intent of committing a crime, often while threatening the resident of the dwelling. It is not a legally defined offense (federally) in the United States. One would think that when a horrendous crime like this occurs that the intended victim can and should do whatever is possible to defend themselves.

In this disturbing article in the UK, a homeowner fought back and attacked his attacker, freed his family and got 30 months in jail.  This is a USA problem too and unfortunately, is not a new problem. In a court of law, people have been claiming “self defense” since the beginning of time. However, in a litigious society such as ours that defense is often abused which has required the courts to look very close at each incident. Unfortunately, justice isn’t always served and common sense goes out the window.

State to state courts have come to different conclusions as to what a homeowner can and cannot do when defending themselves from a home invasion. It is important to read up and do your homework to determine what your options are and what the laws in your state are.

To prevent a home invasion:

  1. Always lock your doors, even while you are at home
  2. Never open your doors to a stranger no matter who they say they are
  3. Install an alarm system and keep it on during the day while you are home
  1. Install security cameras that record motion 24 hours a day. This would help in court.

See Robert discussing home invasions on the Montel Williams Show

Robert Siciliano is a personal security and identity theft expert for Home Security Source. (Disclosures)