Case library · House Deck
Rescuing a Stranger
People v. Young (1962)
Charge: Assault in the third degreeCourt: New York Court of AppealsState: New YorkDocket: House Deck
The facts
A man walking along a city street saw two men struggling with an eighteen-year-old. He thought the young man was being attacked and beaten. He stepped in and punched one of the two men, injuring him. The two men were plainclothes police detectives making a lawful arrest, and the young man was resisting. The accused said he had no idea they were police. He was convicted of assault. The question is whether his honest mistake about what he saw is a defence.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: People v. Young, 11 N.Y.2d 274, 183 N.E.2d 319 (1962)
Read more at courtlistener.com. The source reveals the outcome.