Young players walk through the city centre of Hanover while holding their smartphones and playing 'Pokemon Go.' (Photo : Getty Images/Alexander Koerner)
Lawyers have warned players of the popular mobile game "Pokemon Go" that using the game as an excuse for a crime will not work. Attorney Loretta Powers said that players will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Attorney Rogge Dunn told USA Today in a statement that he thinks most juries are going say that players will have to take personal responsibility for their actions. They will have to be careful on playing the mobile game while in public because they are going to jail if they are not.
Many accidents and crimes have happened already due to many distracted players of the game. One of those accident victims crashed his vehicle into a police car. Two other victims fell off the cliff because they did not see the warning signs and were playing the game.
Powers told the publication in a statement that many people are really interested in the mobile game. She also added that it is very easy for them to get so engrossed in it and be not aware of their surroundings.
Dunn also clarified that the game developers of these video games must also take responsibility with these incidents. He suggested that courts should tell the game developers to caution their players of the potential safety hazards. Game developer Niantic has put caution signs and warnings on their mobile game when it is loading the app.
The mobile game has also been used for crimes like luring victims to secluded areas for criminals to rob them of their valuables. They also use it to break and enter into homes just to find some rare Pokemon.
Powers said they might even use it as a defense for doing the crime, which will not help them. She clarified that if the suspect made an honest mistake while playing the game, they will be evaluated properly.
People must be responsible for their actions, Powers said. It will not be an excuse for committing crimes by just playing the mobile game. Dunn added that he could see that it will be used as an excuse in court, but it will be hard to win on those grounds.
In other "Pokemon Go" news, Nathan Rabens was arrested in West Bloomfield after attempting to invade a home, but told the arresting officers that he was playing the game. According to Click On Detroit, he was charged with first-degree home invasion.
The local police said that an elderly couple told them that they heard sounds of someone walking on their rooftop. They also noticed that the suspect was trying to find a way inside their home through a window.
After the police questioned the suspect, he later admitted that he was not playing the game. He confirmed that he was trying to enter the home.
Check out the mobile game's official trailer below:
