Is an apology a good idea?

[rainontherooftop]

A member of my family was involved in a fracas at a family party recently, in which someone got hurt. Everyone involved knows each other.

Family member (sober) was trying to protect someone else, and pushed someone away, who then fell over (the person who fell had had a lot to drink which didn't help). This person ended up with bruising but was checked over by the ambulance crew and there's no serious damage.

Family member went to the police that night and made a statement, and the police said they'd be in touch. The person who was hurt (I know them) is really angry and keen for the police to press charges. They are saying that it was more violent than just a push. Family member wants to apologise to the person who was hurt, but would that be a good idea? Or is it best to leave the police to their investigation and not contact the person involved?

I wasn't at the event when it happened so I don't know if family member is minimising, or the other person is exaggerating!

I'd leave it to the police to sort out.

Do not get in touch ! Leave for the police - things get twisted quickly and what is meant to be an apology can be used against the family member and distorted into harassment or a threat.

You weren't there, didn't see what happened so leave it to the others and the police to sort out, don't get involved.

By apologising you're effectively admitting liability. Don't apologise.

I'm not getting involved as such - family member said they planned to apologise but I didn't think it was a good idea to make contact.

FM has already told the police about the push and that he was protecting someone else/didn't intend to cause harm, so he's admitted that already.

No, it they are angry do not contact them. They can then claim it's harassment or witness intimidation.

They are obviousoly being a dick about something, don't feed into it.

The person being accused wants legal advice before they do any interview though and to understand the concept of self defence (which includes the defence of others).

Agree with others, don't contact them and leave it for the police. Hopefully if they have any sense, they won't press charges. The person who got hurt is probably embarrassed.

Do not contact, do not apologise, and do not speak to the police or the complainant without legal advice.

Who called an ambulance because a drunk guy fell on his ass?

Nobody knows who called the police, I don't know if someone called 999 because there was a rumpus breaking out and they sent one because someone was on the floor amongst some broken glass.

The person who was hurt doesn't seem embarrassed about their part in it, they're saying it was an unprovoked attack (which I don't believe, considering both people involved)

I don't think it's wise to apologise. There is nothing to be gained from it if the (supposedly) injured party is determined to pursue it, and there's a risk of it looking like admitting liability. In the absence of serious injury it sounds likely that the drunk person is exaggerating rather than the sober person minimising. I would act on that assumption until there is information to the contrary. Let the police sort it out. I very much doubt they will want to take it any further as it sounds like a complete waste of their time.

I would tell them to make no contact at all. Stay far away from this person. They are angling for a fight and I would leave the police to close their enquiries and leave it at that.