Anyone been in this situation

[lippy]

Trying to make this short...

I work as a manager at a quick oil change. Last Saturday, an ex employee, 24 yrs old, let's call him "Jim" for anonynimity, came in to pick up his last check. The owners husband was there with the check. "Jim" started arguing with the owner over money being taken out of his check to cover uniforms not turned in (if you don't turn in all your uniforms, you get charged what the uniform company charges us). "Jim" went out to his car and got his dad (yes, he still lives at home and is basically and mommy and daddy's boy). His dad came in and both of them started arguing with the owner. The owner asked his dad to leave. His dad refused. I asked his dad to leave. His dad started yelling that we couldn't make him leave. I said "cops can." and proceeded towards the phone. "Jim" came up to me on the way and pushed me back twice. After the second push, my foot was up against the rail of the pit. Nice 6 foot drop to a steel grating. I've fell in a pit before, tore my ACL in half. Spent six months recouperating. He drew back for another push, so I put him into a headlock. After he agreed not to push anymore, I released him, he got his check, and left. I started to call the police to press charges (this is logged on the phone log electronically), but the owner asked me to hang up. We argued for a little bit, with me wanting to press charges, and the owners husband saying that it'll just egg "Jim" on where he might start vandalizing the business at night and such. The cops show up while we're still arguing, and I get arrested for assault and battery. "Jim" had already pressed charges. The owners husband was arguing with "Jim's" father and told the cops he didn't see anything until I already had "Jim" in a headlock. The other co-worker told the cops that he saw me headed towards the phone and Jim come up and bump into me twice and then I put him into a headlock. So, next week I have to go for arraingment. I'm pleading not guilty due to self defense.

Just wondering if anyone else out there has been in something similar and what I should expect.

[Onyx]

Wow. That's really bad luck.

I don't know what to say other than I hope there were other witnesses you could find to back you up, and I think you may need a good lawyer.

I hope it works out okay.

[GreggZero]

next time they need to mail the check

[Steven]

your Boss is a pussy.

Dont know if he'll back you up in court as a self defense witness. I doubt it. He's more worried about vandalism than doing the right thing.

I'd counter file against this kid. And against his father. Do you have video surveleince?

Never listen to anyone but YOU when it comes to things of this matter and calling the police and whatnot.

tough break - sounds like a no win situation - but the cops are right - its an assault as soon as you touched him in any manner. You should have called them without an announcement. Actually, your boss should have as well. Did I mention that your boss is a pussy?

You may have a legal claim against yoru boss as well.

If this starts to go bad for you, you might have to look into it.

[lippy]

Thanks for the support everyone. And Thanks for making me laugh at least a little bit there, Steven. Much needed, and I agree about my boss.

[Saephyr]

Word Steven!

NO ONE HAS ANY RIGHT TO TOUCH YOU IN ANGER MY FRIEND.

Not ever.