Do You Have to Report a Crime If You See One?

By Brett Snider, Esq.

Reporting crime is certainly a public service, but is there any legal obligation for you to report a crime if you see one?

You may recall the series finale of “Seinfeld,” in which the four New Yorkers were arrested in Massachusetts under a fictional law that made it an arrestable offense not to rescue someone whom they see being carjacked. And while that episode devolved into a comical courtroom scene, many viewers may have been left wondering if they could be arrested for doing the same.

So do you have to report a crime if you see one?

Duty to Rescue: Generally Civil not Criminal

The legal duty to rescue does not exist for civilians, and unless you are an emergency responder (police, firefighter, EMT, etc.), you likely will not be held accountable for failing to rescue a victim of a crime. However, if you are in one of these specified roles or you happen to be the parent of a child in danger, you may be held accountable for refusing to offer help — even if it’s simply by calling 911.

Even if …read more

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