Just received this, also
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Phyllis Washburn
July 20, 2006
(517) 373-1690
Castle Doctrine becomes law
Michigan residents given right to defend selves, homes
Michigan residents now have the right to use force to defend themselves and their families, if facing imminent harm at the hands of a violent criminal through Public Act 309 of 2006 sponsored by state Rep. Rick Jones.
Jones worked diligently to pass the legislation through the legislature.
“I’m very pleased the castle doctrine has become law,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “It is very important to allow citizens the right to protect themselves and their families if they are facing death, great bodily harm or rape.”
The package of bills protects innocent victims from civil litigation or criminal prosecution.
During his 31 years at the Eaton County Sheriff’s office, Jones experienced firsthand the incident that helped inspire the legislation. Jones had a case where a violent criminal broke into a home and attacked a man, who fought fiercely for his life. Just as he was losing the battle, his wife came to his rescue and hit the attacker with a jar of pennies, sending the criminal to the hospital.
The criminal then recovered and brought a civil lawsuit against the family he harmed.
“It was shocking to watch this innocent family go through the pain and expense of a civil lawsuit,” Jones said. “Their incredibly painful experience was extended past the brutal attack. This law is important because it gives citizens a sense of safety that even though public safety officers can’t be everywhere all the time, they still have a right to personal safety.”
Further inspiration for the bill came from two books, “One Man’s Castle” and “Arc of Justice.” The books offer the historical account of Dr. Ossian Sweet, a black doctor who defended his life, his family and his Detroit home from a violent mob provoked by the Ku Klux Klan in 1925.
Sweet was successfully defended by the famed attorney Clarence Darrow, which set judicial precedent for the castle doctrine.
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PHOTO ADVISORY: Attached to this news release is a photograph of Rep. Jones in his Lansing office with his favorite hunting piece, his Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum, as he contemplates the upcoming hunting season.
AUDIO ADVISORY: For audio commentary by Rep. Rick Jones on this issue, please visit his online office at
www.gophouse.com/jones.htm.