Last Updated on October 22, 2024
It’s a rare day when comic book fans and other geeks can’t stop talking about a lawyer, but Matt Murdock isn’t just any defense attorney —he’s also the one-and-only vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen known as Daredevil. But if Matt Murdock loves his day job as a lawyer, will he need to give up his role as Daredevil?
Being a Superhero is Not Always Illegal
It is legal to become a superhero depending on where you live. If New York doesn’t allow Daredevil’s actions, Matt Murdock is more than welcome to move to California and become a superhero/defense attorney in San Diego. But even in California, Matt would be required to follow some laws —namely, using no more force than necessary to make a citizen’s arrest.
While Daredevil generally tries to be merciful and use his martial arts training only as necessary, he does take things a little too far. For example, torturing someone before throwing them off a roof probably wouldn’t go over so well with the prosecution. Additionally, like Spider-Man, Daredevil actively scales buildings to get from one place to another, which can result in trespassing and vandalism charges in California.
Matt Murdock Can’t be a Lawyer and Vigilante
Unfortunately for Matt Murdock, as an attorney, using excessive force on criminals could result not only in battery charges but also in his getting disbarred no matter what state he practices in. If he’s caught being Daredevil, he wouldn’t just face criminal consequences but also lose his profession. If he’s disbarred, it would be truly unfortunate, given that he and Foggy are gifted lawyers who provide legal services to those in need. They were able to get someone acquitted of beating another man to death with a bowling ball under the doctrine of self-defense.
Daredevil isn’t Alone in Skirting the Law
It seems that all superheroes seem to have their own legal battles, from Batman’s risky recruitment of Robin to Tony Stark’s habit of drinking and flying. Like many heroes, Daredevil is both burdened and benefited by his decision to act anonymously, but he also has more to lose than many masked men.
If you’re looking for a criminal lawyer who is not at risk of getting disbarred for vigilantism, look no further than Peter M. Liss. You can call (760) 643-4050 at any time to schedule a free initial consultation.
Update: This article was written prior to the introduction of Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. We later examined how Matt’s poor legal representation should qualify Castle for a new trial.
