Security Guards and Emotions

There have been recent court cases involving security guards where emotions like rage played a role in the discharge of their duties, leading to criminal accusations such as assault. In these cases, effective criminal defense strategies have varied based on the circumstances:

  1. Claiming Self-Defense: In June 2024, Charles Scaggs, a former WWE wrestler working as a security guard in Kansas City, was involved in a physical altercation at a gas station. Scaggs confronted a man for lighting a cigarette inside the store, which escalated into a fight outside. Scaggs claimed he acted in self-defense during the incident. He faced charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action and pleaded not guilty, asserting that his actions were necessary to protect himself. – New York Post
  2. Highlighting Lack of Prior Criminal Record and Expressing Remorse: In June 2024, Daniel Thomas White, a former security guard in Geelong, Australia, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury after assaulting a patron who allegedly urinated on a tree. White’s defense emphasized his clean prior record and genuine remorse for his actions. The court considered these factors, along with the significant impact on White’s employment and aspirations, and sentenced him to a 15-month community corrections order with 200 hours of community work, allowing him to avoid jail time. – heraldsun
  3. Challenging the Extent of Force Used: In September 2024, Richard Cornelius, a security guard in Nashville, was charged with aggravated assault resulting in death after an altercation with a patron outside a bar. Cornelius’s defense planned to plead not guilty, potentially arguing that the force used was reasonable under the circumstances. The case underscores the importance of scrutinizing the proportionality of force in defense strategies. – People.com

These cases illustrate that successful defense strategies often involve demonstrating that the security guard’s actions were justified under the circumstances, such as acting in self-defense, or highlighting mitigating factors like a lack of prior criminal history and genuine remorse. It’s crucial for defense attorneys to thoroughly examine the specifics of each case, including the security guard’s training, the perceived threat level, and the proportionality of the response, to build an effective defense.

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