legal
 

 crime  legal







 

Question by  Anonymous

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

 
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Answer by  ccorp (260)

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.

Reply by calcutta (168):
Right... it is important to emphasize the "reasonable to do so" part. No Good Samaritan Laws that I am aware of require that a person put themselves in danger. If you witness a shooting, and the shooter is around, it is perfectly legal for you to run away.  add a comment
 
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Answer by  dr84bhl (2789)

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.

 
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Answer by  gummie (738)

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.

Reply by udaipur (219):
Some states have good samaritan laws... these are relatively new, but they do require a citizen to help someone else or at least call for help when you notice a problem. The last episode of Seinfeld had the main characters going to jail for not being good samaritans.  add a comment
 
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Answer by  Paul99 (47)

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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