If a thief drowns in your pool are you responsible?

RemembertheUtah

It depends.

If he was already inside your house and stole something and fell in on the way out, he is committing a crime and any deaths that result from the commission of the crime are laid at the feet of the criminal.

However if he was coming onto your property and had not yet committed a crime and fell into your pool, his family could sue you if you did not have the proper fencing, signs, etc.

So ...do you have the proper height fence as required by law?
Did you have a no trespassing sign on your gate?
Was you back yard lit or was it as dark as the ace of spades?

Etc.

tonalc2

Oddly, yes, if you haven't provided safety measures (fence, pool cover, etc.); however, responsibility and liability are different. You could be sued under your homeowner's policy.

jsmack19

As ridiculous as it is, his/her family might be able to win in civil court.

too408

in california, i read there was a robber who broke into a house, but got stuck in the garage. he sued and won against the family he tried to rob. so if the robber drowns in california, yes.

Gina M

If you had anything to do with the drowning yes. If the person climbed your fence stole your stuff then drown in your pool no!!!!

Greg P

In some states his family can sue you civily even if he was in commission of a crime. The family won't win most likely, but it will still hurt you.

One of the reason's many states passed Castle Laws, or Civil Immunity Laws was to protect homeowners from civil lawsuites by criminals who were injured or killed while committing crimes on the homeowners property.

Unfortunatly, certain liberals attacked these laws portraying them as giving people premission to kill at will and calling them bad.

The truth is that they don't give premission to kill at will, they just give you the right to defend yourself, and they protect you from being sued unless you like tie the guy up, beat him for a while, cut off his man part then kill him.

Tracy L

It depends, did you hold him under?

Libertarian and proud of it

If they could prove that it was your fault, then yes.
Let's say that there was a rock sticking up in the grass. The thief trips, falls into the pool and drowns. If they could prove that he tripped on the rock, you would be held responsible.
You wouldn't be held responsible just because he couldn't see the pool.

Dmonn

A thief that was trying to steal something from you or just any thief that you brought home to murder?

emofreak89

yes you are legally responsible for anything that happens on your property and if you do not have a secure fence/gate around your pool ,legally its your fault

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