Can the Martins sue the Sanford police dept. and Attorney General for criminal neglect

[MoonRiver]

regarding investigating their son's death/murder?

I hope so. Those parents and Trayvon need justice!

[cr8tvlde]

1. I Hope So

But I think you have to let it be a criminal case first, if the authorities charge him. If not, it becomes a civil case, at least that's how it went down with OJ Simpson, as I recall.

I cannot imagine Mr. Zimmerman will go free.

[Egalitarian Thug]

2. Probably not.

Most municipalities and states have exempted themselves from all liability for negligence. I lived in Atlanta when a bus driver, so drunk he could not stand, plowed his bus through a group of people at bus stop.

The lawsuit against the city was dismissed because of this.

[MoonRiver]

4. That is incredibly disgusting.

But this is neglect of statutory duty not hiring a drunken bus driver.

[southernyankeebelle]

3. I bet they could sue Zimmerman himself.

[MoonRiver]

5. I don't think he has much money.

His dad does, but he's not responsible for his POS son.

[southernyankeebelle]

6. What if he is a Neighborhood Watch Man can't the family sue the home owners associations?

and the Neighborhood Watch organization? Just wondering.

[MoonRiver]

7. Actually I just heard on CNN that they CAN!

[southernyankeebelle]

8. Let's hope the family does. Because before I would put someone like Zimmerman in the street

they should of done a background check on him.

[cr8tvlde]

9. If I were on the HOA Board I would be Lawyering Up Post Haste

There will be no stone unturned and they are definitely a stone with deep pockets...aka all kinds of insurance. If they do not have it, there is potential recourse to every home in the development. That might be a long shot, but the community votes in the officers for the Board to make all decisions in their behalf. That's included in the dues. These days, every Board of Directors needs liability/errors and ommissions insurance and it's expensive. That's why it's sometimes hard to get people to serve on these Boards.

Time will tell.

[southernyankeebelle]

14. I would never live in a area with a home association. I mean they can approve or disapprove what

color you want to paint your house.

[seattleblah]

10. That would be awesome.

It would slow down some of the more racist HOAs.

[southernyankeebelle]

13. Or maybe it will force these associations to do background checks.

[flvegan]

11. Can they? Yes.

A person can sue just about anyone for just about anything. Proving "criminal neglect" will be on them.

[X_Digger]

12. No..

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-dc-circuit/1061352.html

[div class='excerpt']"a government and its agents are under no general duty to provide public services, such as police protection, to any particular individual citizen."

eta: and yes, flvegan's right- they can file a civil suit, but good luck.