Posted by RedBush I would actually recommend against this, or at the least look into any laws regarding booby traps. Naturally, the laws around this sort of thing probably vary from state to state, but a buddy of mine tends his grandpa's place out in the sticks and was telling me about the laws regarding booby traps around in my area (he constantly has to devise new ways to deter intruders on the property - apparently the last time someone stole the security cameras) Anyway, basically if a trap can be sprung by an unwitting neighbor or random casual passerby (trip wires, pit traps, etc.), the property owner is liable for injuries sustained. However, if the trap requires a deal of interaction to spring (said friend was talking about rigging false cameras up to an electrified cattle fence), the owner isn't legally liable as it requires an intruder to actively take a series of steps to trigger it. Given that your friend was attempting to unlatch the window, I'd say this falls into the latter category, and all that you'd be doing by reporting the incident would be setting yourself up for possible trespassing/burglary charges. Your friend is super lucky, that it wasn't worse though. It's a very good thing that cut was all that he sustained.

This is entirely wrong.

Any trap meant to cause bodily harm is illegal no matter what. Any person harmed by one is entitled to damages from the property owner - be it a burglar, explorer, a lost child/elderly, firefighter, etc.

The right thing to do here is to report it, in case there are any other worse traps at that site. All it takes is a 10 minute call to your local police's anonymous tip line. The police will greatly appreciate it, and you may save someone's life by doing so.

Here's a new one- a metal wire wrapped around a doorknob on one end and a live power line on the other in order to electrocute anyone who touches the doorknob with enough amps to easily kill someone.

https://www.reddit...on_i_found_a_live/

That reminds me of a certain ladder in a certain place that inexplicably is also attached to an active power line. Thankfully rusty enough that it was no more than a shocking discovery XD. Also glad my buddy was there to knock me off it, I didn’t think electricity could make me grip so hard.

wow that's messed up, thanks for the warning.

I carry a volt stick just to check outlets to see if the power is still on and maybe active security, but now I'll take a closer look at door knobs

Cheers