if you know a person comitted an unresolved crime, is it wise to report it?

Question

A fire. Caused injury to a couple of people- and damaged alot of property. I figured the police would work it out with forensics etc but they haven't...

Answer 1

Jaywalking? Littering? Failure to vote for George W. Bush? Felony murder? Murder with aggravating circumstances? Espionage? Disloyalty?

Thus: it all depends. I would turn in any pinko wierdo commie I knew about; others, fellow travelers, would ignore the infraction.

I was at an airport yesterday, and I took a free newspaper (well, not free if you bought it on a newsstand, but free to departing passengers) when I arrived. And some hysterial female employee of British Airways had a go at me and said "those are for departing passengers only!"

Too late: it was crumpled and nobody would want it; and anyway it was evening and they would be thrown out in a couple of hours.

Should I have been prosecuted? Would you prosecute me for theft?

Ecchh. Everything is relative.

Answer 2

It depends on the nature of the crime and how long ago it occurred. If it is a serious offence, such as murder or robbery, then yes, it should be reported. If it is a minor offence and there have been no serious and lasting consequences, then it would probably be pointless to report it, particularly if it happened some time ago and it would probably be impossible to prove it against the person concerned if he or she were to deny it. If you know of the commission of the crime through your work, then it may be an offence not to report it -- this is particularly the case with money laundering offences. Without knowing any further particulars of what you have in mind, a general rule of thumb would be yes, for a serious offence which has had grave repercussions for others and in respect of which they are entitled to see justice done and no, if it is a trivial offence which has long since been filed away and the consequences of which have been eroded by time.

Answer 3

If your knowledge doesn't let you sleep and if it's really a crime and not just an offence, then it may help you to report. If you have come to the conclusion this person might commit other crimes, then you must report.
If the person who has committed the crime has offended you, and you want now to pay that back, then don't report out of jealousy or whatever it may be.
Consider always the consequences for you. You may have most certainly to testify in court, tell, why you didn't report earlier. Are you strong enough for that?

Answer 4

If you are losing sleep over this, then you are suffering and why should you be suffering for that illegal actions of another person. You can go to the police but you could also call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/
Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't know what you think but I believe that failure to report a crime is in itself a crime so personally I would have no hesitation in reporting it to the police

Answer 6

If I find out they shoplifted food 20 years ago when they were unemployed? No.

If I find out they've got an eighth of Leb at the back of their spice rack and are over 21? No.

If I find out they shot a man in Reno just to watch him die? Yes.

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

If the person was a danger to society because of their criminal activity then yes it would be wise to report.

Answer 9

Completley depends on the nature of the crime doesnt it? Think about all consequences of all actions.

Answer 10

How long ago, and consider why you want to report it now? Is it spite, need for something, or you really want to do the right thing finally.