What law is broken when you witness a crime and don't report it?

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There is a law in some states that is called The Good Samaritan Law wherein if you happen to witness a crime and do not assist the person who is the victim or report the crime when it is reasonable to do so is considered breaking that law.

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Reply by calcutta (168):
Right... it is important to emphasize the "reasonable to do so" part. No Good Samaritan Laws that I am aware of require that a person put themselves in danger. If you witness a shooting, and the shooter is around, it is perfectly legal for you to run away. add a comment

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Answer by dr84bhl (2789)

You could be an accessory to the crime and also you can make a citizens arrest, but make sure you won`t be harmed by doing that. Helping the police with their enquiries would be better.

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Answer by gummie (738)

Except for child/elder abuse or neglect, I don't think there is any other law which requires a person to report a crime they have witnessed. I saw a news report about a teenager whose car went into water and he drowned. His passenger never reported it. Nothing happened.

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Reply by udaipur (219):
Some states have good samaritan laws... these are relatively new, but they do require a citizen to help someone else or at least call for help when you notice a problem. The last episode of Seinfeld had the main characters going to jail for not being good samaritans. add a comment

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Answer by Paul99 (47)

Under the general principals of Anglo-American law a person is not obligated to report a crime - just as he/she is not obliated to help the victim of a crime or the victim of an accident. This is the law in most US States.

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