Breaking a Contract!

[LillFilly]

I'd like to see THIS on People's Court!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...K9N_story.html

Man sues the couple he took hostage while fleeing from police for turning him in, thus breaking their oral contract promising they wouldn't. Egads.

[lordlundar]

Oh to be a fly on the wall in that courtroom when it goes before the judge. I'm quite sure the facepalm from the judge would be heard around the world.

[Rapscallion]

From what I understand, a promise or contract entered into under duress is not binding, and that's without looking at that link. Does the idiot have no legal representation?

*reads link*

Handwritten court documents - I suspect it's his hand and in crayon.

Rapscallion

[Nurian]

“In order for parties to form a binding contract, there must be a meeting of the minds on all essential terms, including and most specifically, an agreement on the price,” he wrote.

Keeshan said the contract also would have been invalid because the couple agreed to let Dimmick in the home only because they knew he had a knife and suspected he might have a gun.

Bam and bam. The couple's civil suit looks better. But then again, civil suits usually are more lenient.

[taxguykarl]

From what I understand, a promise or contract entered into under duress is not binding, and that's without looking at that link. Does the idiot have no legal representation?

Not only that but a binding contract must have a legal purpose. Hiding a fugative from that cops does not qualify, there.

[i4wolves]

For a contract to be enforceable, it must involve a legal activity. The law does not enforce contracts based on illegal activity. For example, a winner of a poker game usually cannot go into court and enforce an IOU in a state in which that type of gambling is illegal.

[Soulstealer]

From what I understand, a promise or contract entered into under duress is not binding, and that's without looking at that link. Does the idiot have no legal representation?

*reads link*

Handwritten court documents - I suspect it's his hand and in crayon.

Rapscallion

Bear in mind I only know the law for the UK but I would imagine they'd be similar.

Contracts made under duress will not hold up in court.
Contracts stemming from an illegal act will not hold up in court.

The defendants seem to have a competent lawyer. Mind you any judge that doesn't dismiss the suit out right should be smacked.

[taxguykarl]

any judge that doesn't dismiss the suit out right should be smacked.

And disbarred, permanently and irrecoverably.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I'd like to see THIS on People's Court!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...K9N_story.html

Man sues the couple he took hostage while fleeing from police for turning him in, thus breaking their oral contract promising they wouldn't. Egads.

Nah . . . I want to see that one on Judge Judy.

[It's me]

Contract made under duress = extortion = illegal