I’m trying to find examples of legal cases where someone was prosecuted for booby-trapping their own home or property in order to catch or hurt a thief. The example at hand is someone putting vegetable oil in their own detergent bottle because they suspect a neighbor in the building of stealing the soap. I’m pretty sure this is criminal behavior most places (it’s also very dangerous, since the oil is a fire hazard in the machine), but have there been similar cases prosecuted?
I recall a case in Miami a decade or so ago where a shop owner placed an electrified bed frame (with springs) beneath a window or hatch where burglars had been getting in. IIRC, the results were fatal and the owner was prosecuted. Sorry, no cote at this time.
I remember a case from law school where a man was prosecuted for setting up a shotgun booby trap in an unoccupied house which was repeatedly getting broken it to. The gist of the decision was that you cannot use deadly force to protect property alone.
I’m sure some practicing lawyers will be around with some cites - I don’t practice.
Here’s something I found.
And a THR Thread.