For example, I'm a very good swimmer but had just bought some new jeans and as I walked past a pond I saw some kid drowning but didn't want to get wet so didn't help and he unfortunately didn't make it, what would happen to me, (apart from having guilt)?
2006-07-24 04:28:55 · 26 answers · asked by Divot 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Hopefully - you'd 'prosecute' yourself - for the rest of your life!
2006-07-24 04:32:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The last time I looked at the law on situations like this there was no duty imposed to help, so you would not be prosecuted for doing nothing. That may have changed in the past few years, though. I personally do not get involved any more, good citizenship is a waste of time.
2006-07-24 04:31:20 · answer #2 · answered by jxt299 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on whether you confess to not helping him, or if someone knew that you were there at the time, or were supposed to be there at the time. The right DA could try and prosecute you for murder...maybe you pushed the kid?
OK, now I know the jeans are new and all, but if you saved the kid and were deemed a hero, someone would buy you a new pair. If you think you would feel guilty afterward than why not just save him?
2006-07-24 04:34:16 · answer #3 · answered by jillymack06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no law forcing you to help someone in trouble, unless you are police, fire or medical personnel. However, most states also have a "good Samaritan" law, which states that if you do stop to help, you cannot be prosecuted unless someone can prove that you caused problems purposely. As for the above situation, no, you can't be prosecuted, but if it were me, I sure would have a HUGE case of the guilts
2006-07-24 04:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some countries, you could be prosecuted, yes.
In some countries, it is against the law to deliberately ignore someone in life-threatening distress, if you have a reasonable chance of saving them.
If you couldn't swim and realistically felt that you could end up drowning yourself, then you'd be off the hook.
But if it was just because you didn't want to get your clothes wet -- in some countries, yes, you could be charged with a crime.
I'm not aware of any US states with such a law, though.
2006-07-25 08:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AS inane as your Q is,,,hopefully,,,this has not been an actual experience.
Forget about written, man made law. Have you no moral FIBER other than that which is an ingredient in some Jeans? Obviously to even ask the Q suggests it ain't in your "GENES"
On a totally non religious note,,, I believe in Karma,,, I suspect it gets us all,,,good or bad. Would you apply this Q if you were the one drowning?
On a religious note,,,would you not lay down, or risk your life to help save a "brother" which in fact defines that OTHER, who is drowning.
I never cease to be amazed at those who ask hypothetical Q's. What is even more frightening is those who ask about actual experiences such as this.
Rev. Steven
2006-07-24 04:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For example you should be the poster child for the selfish and uncaring. A pair of new jeans over a human life so sad.
You may be a good swimmer but you are a terrible person. What goes around comes around. Hope there is noone there to help you in your hour of need.
2006-07-24 04:39:14 · answer #7 · answered by Michael B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well think of it the other way, if YOU were drowning and someone didn't want to get THEIR jeans wet, you'd think that that person was very self-centered, wouldn't you? I would hope that the guilt would eat you inside out if you saw someone drowning but wouldn't help them because you were more worried about your pants.
2006-07-24 04:34:13 · answer #8 · answered by Lauren 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the law of the country. France is the only country I know that has a 'good Samaritan' law - if it was proved you did not help that kid you would be prosecuted. This is an ancient law that was brought up when Princess Diana died in Paris. Most of the paparazzi who were present at the car crash were detained until this law.
2006-07-24 04:34:05 · answer #9 · answered by Ya-sai 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I hope that you would have the sense to know that a person's life is more important than getting your new jeans wet! I dont know if you could be prosecuted. Maybe if someone saw you and knew you could have saved that person and he told their family.....but there are a lot of "what Ifs" there.
2006-07-24 04:31:55 · answer #10 · answered by kimberleibenton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could you have helped him.
If you can't swim, then there is no expectation to risk your self to save him.
Would you have known how to help him. Some people don't know how to tow a casualty in the water, they may not have the confidence to handle the situation.
Say you couyld swim, and you would know what to do. Technichally, you could be held culpibable for:
Involountry Manslaughter
Murder
Accessory to murder (If he was pushed in)
Well, you will be releived to know that as a civillian, you are not expected to be able to handle the situation. So nothing really could punish you, but the police may make you feel really guilty.
2006-07-24 04:37:14 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋