if you see a crime being committed or know of any criminal activity going on, are you aidding and abetting by not informing the authorities?
2007-02-05 08:34:22 · 16 answers · asked by mr.coli1981 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
im from the uk and know of some dealings which i personally arent involved with or support just a passer by so to speak.
2007-02-05 09:15:38 · update #1
"Aiding and abetting," is a crime which includes keeping silent about crime, but the implications of this can be incriminating. Thus your question very closely parallels a question that I posted just a few moments ago concerning self-incrimination and the power of testimony vs the fifth ammendment: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AptjSab8hXmntISA2._w5hzsy6IX?qid=20070205123351AAGZoBX
Because if you know something about a crime, now you are opening yourself up to further investigation and other charges. This opens you up to testimony concerning your involvement (however truthful or not) and any misconduct surrounding the crime.
2007-02-05 08:45:00 · answer #1 · answered by Andy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! by not repoting a crime you know about, you are aiding and abetting in The eyes of the law.
2007-02-05 10:12:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not required by law to report a crime (unless you take an ACTIVE step in furtherance of that crime). Ethically its a different story.
2007-02-05 08:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by obamaforprez 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes basically, of course it has to be proven that you knew about it.
what you need to ask your self is this. can you live with your self if you watch what ever is going on and do nothing about it. If you are afraid have you considered an anonymous report . you can phone form a phone box and tell the police or block your own number when you phone.
2007-02-05 08:47:31 · answer #4 · answered by sabrina 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Witnesses to a crime should come forward and make themselves and what they may have witnessed available to any police enquiry. You may not be the only witness and the more witnesses who do come forward, the more likely will the police be able to bring a conviction which will stick in court.
2007-02-05 20:24:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically yes but the criminal runs the show and it is to dangerous to report crime if they find out they could burn your house down but why bother you would get more thanks for reporting someone doing a bit fiddle work police are not worried as long as they get there quoter of traffic offences see motorists just pay criminals don't give a **** wont pay so it isn't worth it to catch them
2007-02-05 08:56:54 · answer #6 · answered by Psycho Dave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most places it's likely the good samaritan law. You are held responsible for knowing of the criminal acts.
2007-02-05 08:40:44 · answer #7 · answered by gptrejo3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it is an actual "crime' then you are an accessory after the fact, and it can be a felony charge. If you are aware of the activity at the time, and just ignore it, you can also be charged with an accessory.
2007-02-05 08:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by Chrissy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are probably not actually breaking any law, but are morally aiding and abetting.
You should either challenge or inform
2007-02-09 07:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you are aidding and abetting if you don't actually help commit the crime.
You may be guilty of misprison of a felony if you conceal it from the police. http://dictionary.law.com/default2.asp?selected=1263&bold=||||
2007-02-05 08:42:56 · answer #10 · answered by UFO 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋