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What law is broken when you witness a crime and don't report it?

asked by Anonymous

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Tags:  crime  legal

answers

There is a law in some states that is called The Good Samaritan Law wherein if you happen to witness a crime and do not assist the person who is the victim or report the crime when it is reasonable to do so is considered breaking that law.

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posted by ccorp (252)
6 votes

You could be an accessory to the crime and also you can make a citizens arrest, but make sure you won`t be harmed by doing that. Helping the police with their enquiries would be better.

5 votes

Except for child/elder abuse or neglect, I don't think there is any other law which requires a person to report a crime they have witnessed. I saw a news report about a teenager whose car went into water and he drowned. His passenger never reported it. Nothing happened.

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posted by gummie (734)
5 votes

Under the general principals of Anglo-American law a person is not obligated to report a crime - just as he/she is not obliated to help the victim of a crime or the victim of an accident. This is the law in most US States.

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posted by Paul99 (42)
5 votes

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