> However, I wondered about the accuracy of the perception of the
> report. Was this an assault or was this a "fight"? Can the police arrest
> and prosecute when there isn't a formal complaint filed? Is there a
> difference in the way the police procedures are written for a "fight" vs
> assault?
Yes, there seems to be a difference. In the eyes of the law this incident is
'mutual combat'. Since I fought back, after being hunted down, after being
shoved to the ground and having property taken from me in my own driveway, I
'agreed' to be in the fight. I _can_ see the law's point, that there are
things I could have done to avoid further trouble. Unfortunately, hindsight
doesn't take into account the panic I felt at the time. Anyway, it seems that
the usual procedure for cases of 'mutual combat', if any charges are to be
filed, is to charge all parties with disturbing the peace. Given the fragility
of human memory--the number of different versions of an incident is at least
equal to the number of different people involved--it seems that most any time
one fights back, it will be called 'mutual combat'. Ach, well, live and learn.
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