If you suspected that someone had done something illegal would you tell on them? And if a friend had a warrant on them would you call the police and turn them in? Why or Why not? Or do you think the police should find things out on thier own? Why or Why not?
2006-10-03 05:11:43 · 16 answers · asked by detroit_city_girl@yahoo.com 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
You never rat out anyone but if the police ever ask you don't lie cause you will do jail time with a fine
2006-10-03 05:14:30 · answer #1 · answered by frosted f 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would depend on the crime. I know that it should be black and white and right is right. If it were something like a minor law, I would not report it. Reason behind that is two-fold, one, the police may not even care because they are so overwhelmed with the already opened police cases in their laps. The second reason is that sometimes we get that second chance and I would use this as an opportunity to talk to them about better choices.
If there was a warrant out for thier arrest, it would again fall with how bad was the crime. I have heard of people turning others in and nothing come from it. Why ruin a friendship over something stupid.
If it were a violent crime, I would turn them in if I knew they did it because I do not consider them a friend at that point. The only exception would be if they HONESTLY did it out of self defense.
There is so much to consider.
2006-10-03 12:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by nordic_winds1969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally speaking, I would report someone if I observed them breaking the law, but it really depends on what they were doing. There's a big difference between running a red light and doing 50+ MPH through a housing area with children playing in the area. I would also turn someone in if they had a warrant for their arrest. Courts don't issue warrants just because they don't like you -- they issue warrants because you broke the law. It's a safety issue on one hand, but on the other it's also a matter of principle. If you won't turn a guy in because he's your friend and he goes out and harms or kills someone (even if it's a drunk driving incident) would you be able to live with yourself knowing that you could have prevented it if you had just turned him over to the police?
2006-10-03 12:20:04 · answer #3 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let me tell you one thing first.....if you know someone has a warrant and you do not turn them in and you are found to have knowledge of this, you can be just as guilty and can be arrested.
that being said......it would depend on the crime and whether or not the crime can be proven or if it is just hearsay.
I think it is our duty as a society to help where we can to be able to live in peace. Now I don't' mean being nosy busy bodies, but if we witness a crime against another human, I think we have an obligation to our community. A lot of the captures of violent criminals (murderers, rapist) are caught by tipsters calling in to their local authorities. Think about the number of violent people that would be walking the street if we did not have honest and law abiding citizens. The show Americans Most Wanted is a great example.
2006-10-03 12:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by NolaDawn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are not being paid to be a cop or police informant. it is dangerous work and will make you crazy. they get to retire young but unpaid volunteer cops and informants get nothing but grief so forget about it, unless the crime is against you or somebody you love or a class of people you care about.
the laws can be wrong and so can the police and the system is unjust so why subject somebody to that unnecessarily just because you suspect them?
EXAMPLE:
it is wartime Germany and you are a good decent law-abiding Christian citizen. The Nazi Police, being the lawful authority and administrator of current laws, knocks on your door and asks if you know where any jews are hiding. You do know that there is a little girl hiding in the attic of the neighbor house that is a jew.
question: do you report this to the police or do you LIE and say "NO, I do not know anything about any jews so good luck on your search officers."
you know it you tell the truth they will arrest her, imprison her, beat her, torture her, rape her and kill her, all under the law and in the name of the law.
So you see, it can be immoral to tell the truth. so keep your trap shut and do not be a rat. Let the police do the job you pay them for and butt out. certainly do not volunteer to aid and abet a cruel and unjust system to afflict more victims. You must judge upon your own conscience and do not delegate this to others who do not care.
many people helped to shelter run-away slaves in USA and became "crooks" in so doing, but God loves them and honors their sacrifice. would you have reported them to the authorities?
all the people above who answered to say it depends upon the crime are wrong. anyone can be "accused" of a horrible crime. you can indict a ham sandwich. you do not know if they did it or not so the nature of the crime is irrelevant.
Logically, an unjust system seeking to persecute an innocent person would likely charge them with a horrible crime to falsely convict them with and to get help from the poor stooges that live in the community that may help them. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law with an attorney and a jury of their peers.
They do not become less of a person just because the MAN has accused them of a horrible crime. do not fall into that trap.
the cops have soiled their own reputaions with their conduct and now must be denied the help of good citizens who are aware of the faulty system. just like the jews and the slaves needed the real people to help them overcome oppression. certainly do not join the pack of attack dogs. let the cops earn their pay. they should not be eating donuts and waiting for stool-pigeons to call. they need to use up some shoe leather and investigate. burn off a few of the lbs. ( ha ha)
2006-10-03 12:24:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi Cathy
it would reeally depend on what they had done. If it was something serious the answer is YES i would turn them in, something minor i would let the police do there job,
2006-10-03 12:21:10 · answer #6 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what they did. If it was something like rape, murder robbery, then yeah, I'd tell. But I don't associate with people who do sh*t like that so I doubt that sort of thing would happen. But if it's something small and stupid like a late ticket fine or expired tabs on their plate, probably not. Either way, it's the police departments job to take care of that, I would lie to the cops if they asked me anything.
2006-10-03 12:16:08 · answer #7 · answered by 4eyed zombie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Let the police do there job. If the person is a murderer or child molester etc. then ok, I can see you ratting them out. But for misdemeanor things, let it go. Eventually he/she will get caught. Dont send the police on wild goose chases...
2006-10-03 12:15:20 · answer #8 · answered by Neka 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't tell, Because it's not my duty to prevent someone from being wrong, and I am not a policeman, unless he or she spoils my own right. It is the police task that to arrest them.
2006-10-03 12:22:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should only turn them in if they are white, committing a racist crime, (or anyone doing or saying anything bad that affects this free counties media networks ).
You can get free teachings on this subject from your local, tax payer funded, Liberal Essem Made Mandatory (LEMM) group.
Please give all you have.(or we will pass a law to make you)
2006-10-03 12:17:31 · answer #10 · answered by neil r 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋