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If a law abiding citizen has to shoot (stab, club, hit etc.) someone in a legitimate act of self-defense and the bad guy goes down, is the law abiding citizen obligated legally (not morally) in Texas to render aid to the bad guy they just put down, other than calling 911?

range_rider13 wrote:If a law abiding citizen has to shoot (stab, club, hit etc.) someone in a legitimate act of self-defense and the bad guy goes down, is the law abiding citizen obligated legally (not morally) in Texas to render aid to the bad guy they just put down, other than calling 911?

IANAL but I don't think there is a requirement to provide aid. I'm also not sure if Texas has a Good Samaritan law that would protect you from futher liability for rendering aid. Charles would know though...

Tom

A major concern would be whether the BG could still pose a threat.

If he still has resources, I'm not placing myself that close.

range_rider13 wrote:If a law abiding citizen has to shoot (stab, club, hit etc.) someone in a legitimate act of self-defense and the bad guy goes down, is the law abiding citizen obligated legally (not morally) in Texas to render aid to the bad guy they just put down, other than calling 911?

Nope. Same as if you witnessed a car accident or a stranger had a heart attack you have no obligation to give aid. I would call definitely 911, but as Mike1911 said, he could still be a threat or have accomplices.
Are to going to risk treating someone who just tried to kill you who may be infected with HIV or Hepatitis? Legally, no. Morally, I don't think so.

Mike1951 wrote:A major concern would be whether the BG could still pose a threat.

If he still has resources, I'm not placing myself that close.

+1 I concur...

I am not trained, nor equipped to deal with bloodbourne pathogens and other biohazards. I will call the police and they can take it from there.

HighVelocity wrote:I am not trained, nor equipped to deal with bloodbourne pathogens and other biohazards. I will call the police and they can take it from there.

+1

I'm certainly not trying to justify helping a bad guy that was just put down by a good guy.

I was just curious if the good guy could get in trouble legally for not attempting to render aid to the bad guy if there was an opportunity to save the bad guy, and the threat had been neutralized. I know there is always going to be the possibilty that the good guy could come into contact with bloodborne pathogens and biohazards for attemptimg to render aid.

Under the circumstances previously mentioned, can the good guy get in trouble with the law for not helping the bad guy?

Immediately call 911 and before asking for police, request an ambulance.

You've fulfilled any obligation.

Thank you, Mike.

Mike1951 wrote:Immediately call 911 and before asking for police, request an ambulance.

You've fulfilled any obligation.

range_rider13 wrote:I'm certainly not trying to justify helping a bad guy that was just put down by a good guy.

I was just curious if the good guy could get in trouble legally for not attempting to render aid to the bad guy if there was an opportunity to save the bad guy, and the threat had been neutralized. I know there is always going to be the possibilty that the good guy could come into contact with bloodborne pathogens and biohazards for attemptimg to render aid.

Under the circumstances previously mentioned, can the good guy get in trouble with the law for not helping the bad guy?

There is no legal obligation to render aid under these circumstances.

Chas.

tbranch wrote:

range_rider13 wrote:If a law abiding citizen has to shoot (stab, club, hit etc.) someone in a legitimate act of self-defense and the bad guy goes down, is the law abiding citizen obligated legally (not morally) in Texas to render aid to the bad guy they just put down, other than calling 911?

IANAL but I don't think there is a requirement to provide aid. I'm also not sure if Texas has a Good Samaritan law that would protect you from futher liability for rendering aid. Charles would know though...

Tom

Texas does have a good Samaritan law and we are are protected from liability when we stop to give aide. I am not a lawyer but I am sure of this.

If we call 911 and request an ambulance most of us would have fulfilled our legal obligations. Doctors might have a higher requirement.

I was wondering about this myself...the other question I had was, if you have to put a BG down, I'm assuming you get the heck away from there and call the police and tell them what happened and where he is and you are? I'm assuming you don't wait around near the guy (in case he has another gun or weapon)...any thoughts?

Mike1951 wrote:Immediately call 911 and before asking for police, request an ambulance.

You've fulfilled any obligation.

I don't know about where you are, but here in Austin, you are asked what emergency service to be connected to when calling 911. I'd ask for police and when connected there would state the nature of the incident and request that medical services be sent as well. If I'm in a situation where I have to shoot (or otherwise defend myself from an attack), I'd like the police to be the first to show up. It seems that in most cases, the EMS shows up first, so going through police channels would ensure that the EMS are well aware of the hazards of the situation before they arrive.