MovieChat Forums > Very Bad Things (1998) Discussion > What If they Called the Police From the ...

What If they Called the Police From the Get-Go?


I know you wouldn't have much of a movie but I'm interested as to what the legal repurcussions would have been. It was clearly an accident. Jeremy Piven probably would've gotten manslaughter at worst. The rest would have gotten solicitation, drug possession (assuming they didn't clean up) and maybe reckless endangerment (but that probably wouldn't stick). All in all they'd all get slaps on the wrist.

I guess that's why you should always have a lawyer in your circle of friends.

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[deleted]

They would receive:

Michael - Manslaughter, category D felony as defined by Nevada State Law. Results in 1-4 years of imprisonment (likely early release options) and up to a $5,000 fine (likely less back in the 90s). Depends on the judge and your lawyer for getting off, but you could likely serve a lesser sentence and would probably get the minimum. There is no law against being drunk and having sex so a pretty good chance this is dismissed but clearly on coke might cause an issue (and that she was there illegally).

Everyone (including Michael): Possession of an illegal substance (if detectives/authorities actually found them to be under the influence of cocaine or found the cocaine itself) resulting in a class D felony which is punishable 1-4 years in prison. That said, for first time offenses generally charges can be dropped to a misdemeanor and judges in the past have let folks walk with probation from another charge and attending classes, etc.

Best case scenario:
Everyone charged with misdemeanor drug possession, Michael likely to jail/prison (< 1 year).

Worst case scenario:
Everyone in prison for 4 years. (unlikely)


Hard based on the judges mood, lawyer expertise/skill, cooperation with cops (hiding coke and trying to falsify evidence isn't going to help), etc. what they would've gotten.

But it's not all just a "Oh you killed a hooker lol, no worries. Later!"

If this was non-paid sex (with a consensual partner), with no evidence of possession of an illegal substance, with a lawyer you're likely looking at no jail time. Point is, don't accidentally or intentionally kill someone. You gotta be trying pretty hard to pull it off. And clearly his intoxication led to her death.

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He wouldn't get ANYTHING, guaranteed.

There would be a wrongful death lawsuit because of that spike.

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And if it goes EITHER way - which side of the decision would be the morally RIGHT one?

Like, if they do OR don't get in trouble for it, does that ultimately mean they SHOULDN'T or SHOULD and why?

Thing is, the law WAS created by people, as in, it wasn't just set in stone, right, but oh it works differently from state to state, and not always in the correct ways it should, right?

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It was a freak accident so I'd say Jeremy Piven would have gotten a manslaughter charge and everyone else maybe drug posession. If they cooperated with the police it would have made their lives much easier but it wouldn't be much of a movie after that.

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