Criminal Defense Attorneys
Many people enjoy going to bars and restaurants not just to enjoy quality food and drinks, but to spend time with family and friends as well. However, as a lawyer can tell you, they are also common places that criminals frequent to look for unsuspecting victims. Because they are crowded places, they are attractive to thieves and other criminals. Other crimes are committed by property owners, landlords and managers who fail to maintain their property.
Robbery
Many people who go to bars and restaurants tend to be victims of robbery. People may accidentally leave their belongings, such as valuable items such as wallets, jewelry and watches. This makes bars and restaurants hot spots for thieves on the lookout for careless customers or people who are not keeping a close eye on their personal items.
Negligent Security
When security guards at bars and restaurants fail to do their jobs, it can result in a customer becoming a victim of a crime. Guards and patrol officers are responsible for ensuring that patrons of a business are protected from criminals. Sometimes security guards do not have sufficient training or act in a negligent manner, such as failing to respond to an incident properly. Charges can be filed against a security guard of a bar owner if they acted negligently.
Premises Liability
Property owners and managers can be held liable if there is evidence that they have failed to maintain and secure their property so that it can be safe for people to occupy. They are responsible for ensuring that there are no hazards such as broken staircases, exposed wires, uneven flooring and spilled water or food. A restaurant owner for example, can face a criminal charge if they were aware that there was spilled water but did not take action to make sure it was cleaned up. If there is evidence that a property owner acted negligently, they can face a charge.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Another kind of criminal activity that commonly occurs around bars and restaurants are drunk driving accidents. Drivers are responsible for consuming a legal amount of alcohol before getting behind the wheel of a car. They are responsible for making sure that they are sober enough to drive. Drunk drivers can face criminal charges if they strike a pedestrian or vehicle containing passengers, as a bar/restaurant crime victim lawyer like one from Deitch + Rogers can explain.
Assault
Another common crime that is committed at bars and restaurants is assault. Patrons may consume too much alcohol, causing them to become rowdy and violent. It is common for assault charges to be combined with battery. There are key differences between the two, though they are commonly mistaken to mean the same thing. Assault refers to the intention to commit violence against a person, while battery is the actual act of violence committed itself. They are often paired together because the assailant follows through with their will to attack a victim.
If you would like to receive legal assistance if you have been victimized at a bar or restaurant, contact a trusted lawyer near you right away.
