It’s not unusual to read about a professional rapper getting into trouble for questionable behavior, but such news stories rarely involve vigorous chivalry in a Waffle House. This, however, appears to be the case with Juvenile, the New Orleans-based hip-hop artist, perhaps best remembered for encouraging big-bottomed ladies to “back that azz up.” According to reports, Juvenile, along with his wife and entourage, entered a Greenville, South Carolina Waffle House last Friday, at which point the rapper was recognized by one of the other patrons.
In what was likely a case of impromptu and ill-conceived humor, the unidentified patron audibly offered something to the effect of: Juvenile’s here—here come all the hoes. The rapper was not amused, though, apparently interpreting this remark as a direct reference to everyone with whom he’d arrived—including his wife. A heated exchange between the two men ensued, followed by some punches. Read the story here.
If this kerfuffle had occurred in Indiana, Juvenile could be facing battery charges. In its mildest form (a Class B misdemeanor), all that’s required for a battery is for you to knowingly or intentionally touch another person “in a rude, insolent, or angry manner.” If the touching results in an injury to the other person, it can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. Predictably, you will receive more serious charges for inflicting more serious injuries. If your battery of another person results in “moderate bodily injury”—statutorily defined as “any impairment of physical condition that includes substantial pain”—you can be charged with a Level 6 felony.
It’s also worth noting that Indiana has a statute defining provocation: “A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally engages in conduct that is likely to provoke a reasonable person to commit battery commits provocation, a Class C infraction.” In other words, your freedom of speech is only protected until you make a “reasonable” person angry enough to lay hands on you.
Attorney Marc Lopez doesn’t know whether Juvenile is reasonable or not—but he does know how easy it is for criminal charges to derail a normal person’s life. If you’ve aggressively defended your significant other’s honor and gotten in trouble for it, the attorneys at the Marc Lopez Law Firm are here to help. Call us at (317) 632-3642.
