Pepper Spray - A Legal Weapon Frequently Used In An Illegal Manner
Three fifteen-year-old girls were arrested over the weekend on felony charges when they attacked another teen with pepper spray and then slammed her head into the ground.
Pepper spray is a legal self-defense weapon in California. However, it is also used in a variety of illegal situations that have little or nothing to do with self-defense or the defense of others. Like the above case, people frequently use pepper spray as a way to incapacitate another person so that they may take control over that individual. And unfortunately, the police are no exception…
If used improperly, pepper spray can subject an officer to California criminal and even civil charges. Examples of inappropriate use of pepper spray by officers include situations where the officer repeatedly sprays an individual, sprays an individual who is already restrained, or sprays an individual who is exercising one of his/her many constitutional rights. Engaging in any of these types of illegal activity subjects the offending officer to California criminal charges and to being sued by the “sprayed” victim.
California has strict laws about the use of pepper spray for civilians and law enforcement alike. In order to avoid criminal charges for improperly using this potentially dangerous weapon, make sure you educate yourself prior to carrying it.
