had a cousin get in trouble at school for watching a fight. they are telling him its a felony what you think?
2007-05-11 09:44:19 · 7 answers · asked by jessy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
First, there is no duty to break up a fight unless one is a police officer, firefighter, etc. And Surely, it is not a felony not to break up a fight. The only way your cousin could get in trouble for not breaking up a fight would be if he had a duty to keep the peace (a counselor at a summer camp doesn't break up a fight among kids, police offier, etc). Absent a duty, there is no crime, generally. Usually, the law does not punish one for not acting (though the act/omission distinction is quite doubtful). Specifically, we would need to know the state to to determine if your state has made an exception to these general principles. I am almost certain it is not a felony to not break up a fight, absent some duty (like police officer). That said, he may have broken school rules by spectating; school rules may require that he seek adult help if he sees a fight, or they may punish spectating so as to prevent the mayhem that results from big fights. I seriously doubt that he is guilty of any crime if all he did (or didn't do) was not step in and break it up. I, like the others, believe you are not getting the whole story- oh prevarication.
2007-05-11 10:18:00 · answer #1 · answered by John Tiggity 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If a citizen watches a fight, and does nothing then you become an accessory. Depending on the brutality of the fight, it could be a felony especially if blood is shed. And if for some reason it gets too out of hand and someone dies....you're in some pretty deep ****. Citizens are expected to break up fights not watch them.
2007-05-11 09:51:49 · answer #2 · answered by DJ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
possibly aiding in a fight is a felony on school ground but watching a fight no thats not a felony they are just trying to scare him or he is lying to you.
2007-05-11 09:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by Snowy86 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your cousin is probably not telling you the entire story. Was he a disinterested party watching strangers fight? If not, what was his involvement?
2007-05-11 09:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by gross d 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
huh? watching a fight isn't a crime.
dont think your cousin is giving you the whole story.
2007-05-11 09:48:17 · answer #5 · answered by arus.geo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it depends on the situation-it could be for "mob action" or they didn't step in to prevent the crime
I agree w/others-you aren't getting the whole story.
2007-05-11 09:51:49 · answer #6 · answered by Sugar Magnolia 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you have the whole story.
2007-05-11 09:47:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋