If You Witness A Crime Are You Legally Obliged To Report?

Question

There was a shooting in a bar near my house; members of a gang were involved. Somebody not involved with the gang was hurt bad and the police wanted to know who it was who fired the shots. Because of the powerful force of the gang all 30 people in the bar, including the bartender says thy don't know who it was who fired the gun. A friend of mine was one of the 30 people so said they had no idea who it was. Can the police legally hold the whole bar as accesories to the crime?

Answer 1

In the case you describe, it is not a question of reporting the crime. The police obviously know the crime occurred. Your question is actually, "Are you legally required to tell the police what you know when the ask?" Technically, the answer is yes. Practically, unless they have reason to believe you were involved somehow, they are not likely to charge you with anything.

Answer 2

nope ..

You aren’t legally obliged to report a crime you witness to the police. But without witnesses coming forward to report what they know, criminals are free to commit more crime, damaging more communities and individuals.

If you choose to report a crime, you’ll be asked to give a witness statement to the police. It may be some time before you know whether you’ll need to go to court as cases take a long time to prepare.

If the case does go to court and you’re required to give evidence, you’ll be contacted. If you're a witness who’s not a victim, it’s less likely that you’ll be asked to provide evidence. However, you will have to give evidence in court if the defendent pleads 'not guilty' or denies an important part of the charge.

If the police believe you won’t turn up to court, you may be issued with a summons. If you fail to attend trial after receiving a summons, you can be found 'in contempt of court’ and a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Answer 3

No, you dont have to report it unless you are in someway involved. But if police think that you MAY have seen it, then you can be supeonaed and then you will have to, or be placed in contempt of court which can lead to jail or prison time. Jail time usually scares 95% of the people into giving up the details.

Answer 4

i grow to be so disenchanted some years in the past as quickly as I heard a tale approximately 6 adult adult males and four women individuals, who chanced on a woman being raped in substantial Park vast apple. It went on for 5 min. until now a 12yr previous boy street by on his motorbike, and went to get a cop. The cop berated the gang for doing no longer something. So regrettably i assume it particularly is not any longer unlawful to stroll faraway from against the regulation and not tell somebody. i will in easy terms pray to God that I do some thing if I observed against the regulation. you do no longer ought to end it in case you're afraid, yet to do no longer something is morally incorrect. Why people do no longer think of on the time, that what if their mom, spouse, sister, brother grow to be attacked might they no longer choose somebody to assist them? i comprehend i might. although, if a cop asked the chum if he comprehend on the subject of the lady that grow to be killed, and he suggested no, then he may be seen the two responsible. it particularly is named accessory after the reality, or with retaining info to against the regulation.

Answer 5

No. They can be subpoenaed to testify under oath at trial if the state can show that they had knowledge of the crime. Then they would be faced with telling the truth or lying under oath. Way to many "good" citizens turn their back on crimes that they've witnessed. You don't still call this friend of yours who was one of the thirty people your friend do you?

Answer 6

forget about legally, what about morally? I hope every one of the people in that bar that would not come forward has someone in their family killed in that manner! how would you feel if it happened to you? and just think how it must feel when you know people saw what happened and just won't speak up, this is how things have gotten so bad because in less it is happening to us we just sit by and watch, and when it does happen to us we can't figure out why no one helped out! What cowards how do they live with themselves? and yes what they are doing by not coming forward is criminal, it is aiding and abiding a criminal!!

Answer 7

You don't have to report anything - if that's what floats your boat, but it won't make the crime go away to not report what you saw.

Answer 8

if they wanted they could they could also file aiding and abetting a felon. yes u you are legally obliged to report a crime

Answer 9

If you are a mandated reporter under state statute you have to. or risk losing your job or license

Answer 10

nope