Instead of calling the cops, they fist fight like gentlemen.
In two states, Washington and Texas, this would be technically legal. They are the only two that allow “mutual combat”. A police officer is legally required to act as a ref though.
Texas has similar law but implicit consent (ie “fighting words”) are sufficient, unlike Washington’s explicit requirement.
Washington state has no mutual combat law. The only law I can find regarding it is from the Washington code of military justice for dueling. Even then it only says that you must report if you know about a duel or you will “be punished as a court martial may direct.” The only thing I have heard of that relates is that someone could refuse prosecution after a fight and therefore no crime occurred.
There is a Seattle municipal code that only forbids fighting if there is risk to others, property, or has a substantial risk to do so.
That’s a shame, I love the mental image of somebody in Washington calling the cops like: “Hello, we’d like to get into a fight please!” and the police responding: “No worries, we’ll send someone out to referee!”
In two states, Washington and Texas, this would be technically legal. They are the only two that allow “mutual combat”. A police officer is legally required to act as a ref though.
Texas has similar law but implicit consent (ie “fighting words”) are sufficient, unlike Washington’s explicit requirement.
Washington state has no mutual combat law. The only law I can find regarding it is from the Washington code of military justice for dueling. Even then it only says that you must report if you know about a duel or you will “be punished as a court martial may direct.” The only thing I have heard of that relates is that someone could refuse prosecution after a fight and therefore no crime occurred. There is a Seattle municipal code that only forbids fighting if there is risk to others, property, or has a substantial risk to do so.
That’s a shame, I love the mental image of somebody in Washington calling the cops like: “Hello, we’d like to get into a fight please!” and the police responding: “No worries, we’ll send someone out to referee!”
Them’s fightin’ words!