Is it illegal not to report crimes?

Question

If you witness a theft or a murder or any kind of crime, what are the laws in the United States regarding your LEGAL obligation to report it.

Links to laws would be appreciated.

Remember, this is completely separate from the moral obligation, I am NOT asking about the MORAL obligation.

Answer 1

There are specific situations in the US where there is a legal obligation to report a crime, but it's not the general law.

In most cases "Mandated Reporters" are people like teachers, counselors, nurses, etc, who become aware of a crime against a child or someone incompetent.

Probably the most famous example of this is the case of David Cash.

Cash was in a casino in Nevada when he saw his friend Jeremy Strohmeyer pulling a nine year old girl called Sherrice Iverson into the bathroom. He followed them in and climbed onto the toilet in the next stall to look over and see what was happening. He saw Strohmeyer sexually molesting Iverson, and simply left him to it. Strohmeyer killed her after he had molested her, came back to the tables and told Cash what he'd done. Cash told no-one until much later after Strohmeyer had already been arrested and charged, at which point he told the media that he felt sorry for Strohmeyer because 'his life was ruined'.

There were no criminal charges that could be brought against Cash - as disgusting as his conduct was, he did nothing illegal.

Richard

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

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When you're in the process of committing a crime, which all illegal immigrants are guilty of, you can't exactly call the police and not expect any consequences. The officers will most definitely do their job, which includes saving their life, taking reports, etc. But their job also includes ID'ing that person and since they're illegal, they don't have proper ID. I've actually seen instances where people called the police to report that another family member had stolen their marijuana. At least the illegal immigrants are smart enough to know that unless it's life or death, they don't want to get the attention of the police. As for what can happen to them: they can be arrested, imprisoned, fined and/or deported. None of those is a great option for them.

Answer 4

I'd move if I were you. Sounds like you live by some shady people. This is for all of you illegals out there: the cops aren't part of the immigration department. If you witness a crime, reporting it will not get you deported. You can also say you don't have an id when the police come. Or at least tell the owner and have them call. I wish they'd make a law about this. Like some sort of an immigrant witness protection law.

Answer 5

Well this is an interesting question...

If it is illegal to not report a crime, then that would mean that all witnesses are committing crimes...

I haven't ever seen a witness committed of a crime they didn't report... so I would say no.


(updated)

***HOWEVER***

I suppose it depends on the crime. If someone is aware that a child or an elderly person is being abused (for instance), and they do not report it to the appropriate authorities, I can see how they can be held liable... but again, I'm not sure that makes their actions "illegal."

Answer 6

I can't say that it is illegal, because this is what everyone in the bad neighborhoods does. You don't report things that don't concern you. I have tried looking on google to see if there are actually any laws about you getting in trouble if you witnessed a crime but did not report it.

Someone here also claimed it to be "obstruction of justice". That has nothing to do with what we are talking about, obstruction of justice is a completely different thing where you change around things that you legally should not be changing, for example tax records, etc.

Answer 7

It depends on the situation. If you were actually there as the crime took place (ex. you and a friend go out, friend gets into a fight with someone and stabs him) then you could also be charged with the crime. By not reporting it you make yourself and accessory to the crime even though you did not actual stab anyone. If you are walking by and you see a robbery, murder, rape or anyother crime. There is no law that says you must report it. That being said. If you do not report it and somehow your name gets brought up in the investigation you are obligated to give true and factual accounts of what you have seen. If you lie then you would be obstucting justice and could be charged.

When a person witnesses a crime it is usually their moral obligation to themselves and society that make them report it. However, if they choose not to report it the only person that they will have to answer to is themselves. For example. The neighbor that hears the couple having another knock down fight. He doesn't call it in because it is none of his business. One of the people ends up getting killed. The police are sure to question all the neighbors. When they question him as long as he says yes I heard the fight there is nothing that the police can do to him. They may give him dirty looks for not calling 911 but they can not arrest him for it.

There are exceptions to this though. Medical professionals are obligated to report child abuse as are teachers, counselors etc. If a doctor treats a child that he/she believes to have been a victim of child abuse they must report it to the authorities.

Answer 8

Not Reporting A Crime

Answer 9

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RE:
Is it illegal not to report crimes?
If you witness a theft or a murder or any kind of crime, what are the laws in the United States regarding your LEGAL obligation to report it.

Links to laws would be appreciated.

Remember, this is completely separate from the moral obligation, I am NOT asking about the MORAL obligation.

Answer 10

legally no it is not illegal to report a crime.
how many people see a crime and do not report it for fear of involvement and retaliation?
if this was true, what about rape not a witness, but the victim?
78% go unreported by women.