Laws Broken: Home Alone

#ChristmasMovies #KidsDieHard

Ever wonder if Kevin’s parents are guilty of child neglect? Curious if Kevin can really use all that force on the intruders? Want to know how long Harry and Marv would go to jail as the Wet Bandits?

This is a kids movie right?

Summary from IMDB:
It is Christmas time and the McCallister family is preparing for a vacation in Paris, France. But the youngest in the family named Kevin got into a scuffle with his older brother Buzz and was sent to his room which is on the third floor of his house. Then, the next morning, while the rest of the family was in a rush to make it to the airport on time, they completely forgot about Kevin who now has the house all to himself. Being home alone was fun for Kevin, having a pizza all to himself, jumping on his parents' bed, and making a mess. Then, Kevin discovers about two burglars, Harry and Marv, about to rob his house on Christmas Eve. Kevin acts quickly by wiring his own house with makeshift booby traps to stop the burglars and to bring them to justice.

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Have you ever watched a movie and thought “that looks illegal.” It probably is! Welcome to Laws Broken, a series on LegalEagle where I tackle your favorite movies and show you how legally irresponsible they are.

As a lawyer, it’s hard for me to watch movies, because I’m constantly thinking about how the main characters are breaking the law or opening themselves up for civil liability. But my pain is your entertainment!

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All clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. See Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).

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[smdowney]

Can we also talk about the fact that when a mother calls and says her child is home alone, and the police went to check on the house, and get no response, shouldn't that be an indication that there's a problem, not that everything is fine??

[PhantomSavage]

Technically the zipline that leads from the house window outside actually leads to a tree house in the Kevin's backyard, which is still on the property of which Kevin's family owns and therefore the castle law permitting the use of deadly force is still technically in effect. Kevin may have left the home but he is still on what is legally considered to be his property.

[refl]

Objection: as a minor, Kevin should not be expected to accurately judge how much force is considered "reasonable" or distinguish deadly from non-deadly force.

[rhueoflandorin]

"we know that you're in there, and that you're all alone"
A reasonable jury could agree that the child may feel immediately threatened by two adults seeking violent entry into a home in which they are alone, and excessive use of force may be the child's only means of survival. Thus, all actions taken by the 8-year old could be cleared in self-defense argument.

[anonthehousemouse]

Objection: The shoplifting was clearly accidental: frightened by the man in front of him, he turns and runs away, forgetting momentarily about the toothbrush in his hand.

[Deadhorse]

Objection;

You missed the potential for a charge of resisting arrest after stealing the toothbrush.

[Depressedwhale]

OBJECTION! Kevin doesn’t technically leave his property. His treehouse and his yard is still a part of his property.

[themisfitowl]

Also, don't call Buzz's actions "Harmless taunting."
The amount of bullying that Kevin receives from his siblings and family is a psychological nightmare. In fact, Kevin's behaviors could have been 100% attributed to his home life. I'd say the McCallisters are in need of some counseling.

[finnsword]

“Kevin starts off by assaulting his brother over minor teasing” Are we charging every sibling ever for this

[UltmtDestroyer]

Fun fact: They wanted Buzz's girlfriend look ugly but they didn't want to make anyone feel bad so they used the art director's son

[mohammedragab]

If stealing from older brother counts as a felony, then i am pretty sure all prisons in the world would have a crowd crisis

[jeknechtphotography]

There has always been the argument that he didn’t call the police since he is first introduced to Harry as a police officer and could think he is a real officer and others could be just as bad.
Also the police in this movie are comically inept and portrayed as the worst service imaginable. I mean, the family called and reported a stranded child and they showed almost 0 interest.

[dark_knight]

"Kids' Die Hard" is about the most succinct description of Home Alone that I've ever heard.

[gavrochethenardier]

"No, Kevin didn't make his family disappear, they abandoned him."

That was so brutal and hilarious I died laughing

[hardcoredoom]

The real crime is standing still as a blowtorch incinerates your scalp.

[klegos]

Kevin can never be charged for repeated attempted murder, because in HOME ALONE 2, he already knows that Harry and Marv are immortal.

[circa]

"Because everything is illegal." Wow, I think that's the most Lawyer thing you've ever said lol

[estooo]

Prison Inmate: What you in for?

Kevin: Everything

[matthewtaormina]

His parents did contact the police when they realized he was missing. The police office checked the house but since Kevin was scared he never answered the door. Police office incorrectly concluded he wasn't home. If the police officer did find him. Tempory arrangements could have been made so that he was supervised until awaiting his parents return. The police bares some responsibility in his failings.

[wastool]

Felony child abandonment requires intent, the McAlisters were reckless, but they did not intentionally abandon Kevin. Perhaps there is a negligence charge which is more appropriate.