Student in pro-Trump hat sets off taunting, dialogue at South Portland High

[mahatmakanejeeves]

21. IANAL. That said:

Last edited Tue Apr 12, 2016, 12:24 PM - Edit history (1)

The legal code of Maine is the standard here. I'm hoping someone who is a lawyer will chime in, but I think I've got this one.

Assault

In criminal and civil law, assault is an attempt to initiate harmful or offensive contact with a person, or a threat to do so. It is distinct from battery, which refers to the actual achievement of such contact.

If someone reaches over and takes the hat off my head, I consider that "an attempt to initiate harmful or offensive contact with a person, or a threat to do so." In fact, this was an "actual achievement of such contact," and therefore battery.

The ACLU is salivating at the chance to go to court with this one. Bet on it.

ETA: In Virginia, you can still read for the law.* I'm pretty sure that includes Googling.

Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES Chapter 9: OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON §207. Assault

1. A person is guilty of assault if:

A. The person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or {2001, c. 383, §10 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).}

* Huh? I mean this:

Reading law

Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession (although in England it is still customary to say that a university undergraduate is "reading" a course, which may be law or any other). Reading the law consists of an extended internship or apprenticeship under the tutelage or mentoring of an experienced lawyer. A small number of U.S. jurisdictions still permit this practice today.

Best wishes. Thank you for writing.