For those Retired Lawyers and Paralegals

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
Not suggesting it has happened...yet...But if a long time friend of the family would show up on your door step. You know they had their dealings with the law. They had posted bail for a felony assault...But they needed a place to stay. You were under the assumption they were legally free. Are you harboring a fugitive? Any random advice welcome.
 
They would gladly provide help, if in the back of their minds, there twizzled the tiniest little spark of monetary recompense.

Lawyers' existences depend solely upon the extraction of funds from areas closed to all other professionals. imp
 
They would gladly provide help, if in the back of their minds, there twizzled the tiniest little spark of monetary recompense.

Lawyers' existences depend solely upon the extraction of funds from areas closed to all other professionals. imp

HEY -- she said "and paralegals." We just get our salaries. Anyway, lawyers are smart enough NOT to do anything that can threaten their licenses to practice.

I personally would not want anyone, family friend or not, who had been charged with felony assault staying in my house. As to whether you'd be harboring a fugitive, that's a legal question and would depend on a whole lot of stuff. I couldn't answer this even if I knew the answer, because it might be construed as practicing law without a license.

I would also point out in response to a comment above that, though I have a very dim view of most lawyers because they are an arrogant, confrontational, self-centered and generally difficult lot, the vast majority are not crooks. They are very careful to color within the lines. Everybody hates lawyers until they really need one.
 
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If bail has been paid, then no, you're not harboring a fugitive even if you thought they were free because they are free until trial. They've been released officially pending trial. That's what I think but I wouldn't want a violent person like that in my home. Tough decision.
 
I thank everyone for their comments. Fortunately hubby is staying somewhat removed from the situation. It's just even now so hard to comprehend. The gentleman is question had been hubby's childhood friend, best man at the wedding, lived with us off and on and helped raise our kids sometimes. Slightly built but blonde and brainy, had his choice of the ladies. Well educated and he worked in finance...a resume many folks would envy.

Then one day you get a letter, he's crying for his dogs and someone died and he doesn't really recall how it happened, he'll call collect when he can. Just...you can't even wrap your mind around it. Prayers go out to him and his beloved pups. His dogs...you know the kind of owners that will spend a few thousand for their dog's dental work? His dogs are his children and mean more to him than anything in the world. Maybe they will be the force that gets everything straightened out for him.
 
Oy, there are several lawyers in my family, and my DIL is studying to be one! Lolololol.

It was "Career Day" at school and the children were supposed to make a short report on what their parents did for a living.

That evening, Johnny's teacher called Johnny's father and said, "I just wanted to tell you that today you son said you worked as a male prostitute. I'm sure that's not true, but I thought you should know about it."

Johnny's father expressed his dismay and assured the teacher he would have a discussion with his son about lying. He got off the phone and yelled, "Why the hell did you tell your class that I worked as a male prostitute?"

Johnny replied, "Well, I was too embarrassed to tell them you're a lawyer."
 
Heaven knows, wanted to be in law enforcement when I was young, I would have been mighty proud to pass the bar. Definitely a better retirement than fearing a cardboard box and stolen cat food.

But yeah, guess the situation will go where it will go. It's the emotional pull that's hard to deal with. Just for one moment. Imagine someone you've known for more than thirty years, that you speak to even daily sometimes. They send a letter and describing such a situation. You know their signature and it's not a dark joke. You just can't process stuff sometimes.
 
Well, your post stated that the person has posted bail, so he's not a wanted fugitive. So now your only choice is if you want a person that has been arrested for felony (aggravated) assault living with you. How serious was the other person's injuries? This matters because in PA aggravated assault may either be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the seriousness of the injuries and/or who was injured. If it was a public official; judge, mayor, cop, etc., the charge may be serious enough to warrant jail or prison time.
 
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