I witnessed child abuse, what can I do?
I would call the police and report what you saw. It is best to be as specific as possible as to what you observed and heard. Mention possible witnesses, a store clerk for example. Give as much identifying information about the child and his family as you can. It best if you just give the facts as you saw and heard them without editoralizing about how bad it was. The police and the investigative social workers at Child Protective Services know how bad child abuse is-- they don't need to be told. And don't tell them it is a really bad case--- again if it is the facts as you describe them will tell them that. Please do not try to investigate the case yourself. Call the police or CPS and let them do it. You will either do nothing to help the case or you will make it worse. Generally the reporting mandates apply only to persons in certain professions and occupations such as social workers. physicians, law enforcement officers, and teachers; and in most states failure to report is not a felony. While in most states members of the general public are not required to report suspected abuse they are encouraged to do so by being guaranteed that their identity will be kept confidental; and by giving immunity from civil and criminality liability if the case is determined to be unfounded as long as the report was made in good faith which means honestly. And even in cases where the report was made in bad faith and was determined to be unfounded it is difficult to successfully sue due to the confidentality requirements
What should I do if I witness a mother physically abuse her child in public?
If the mother is choking the child, dangling the child over a high ledge, or using a weapon of some kind to bludgeon the child, call the police.Otherwise, mind your own fucking business - it’s more likely than not that you have no idea what constitutes “child abuse” and are mistaking the reasonable and safe application of discipline for something much worse.Seriously, there are far too many cases where authorities are involved and the lives of families are ruined because outsiders have taken it upon themselves to report what they believe to be child abuse.11-Year-Old Boy Played in His Yard. CPS Took Him, Felony Charge for Parents.In the case in the link above, an 11-year-old boy played in his yard while waiting for his parents to get home from work, delayed by traffic for 90 minutes. A neighbor called the police, and the parents were arrested and charged with felonies. The boy and his younger sibling (who wasn’t left in a situation of alleged “neglect”) were taken into custody of Child Protective Services, and were not returned to the parents for a month.If you search around, you can easily find numerous instances where a well-meaning neighbor or bystander has called the police, and destroyed a normal family over what amounts to absolutely nothing.
If you witness a car accident - do you have to stop or pull over?
You don't have to pull over. There is nothing that says you have to, are obligated to, or need to. However, as a good citizen you should to see if everyone is okay and if you have your cell phone, call 911 to report the accident. If you stick around, the police will get a witness statement to se if it was accident, who was at fault, and for insurance purposes. This is because in most (2 vehicle or more) motor vehicle crashes, the drivers of each vehicle blames the other.
What is it called if you witness a crime and you don't report it to the police? HELP PLEASE!?
It really depends if the crime you witnessed was one in which the victim of the crime was physically injured or killed. There is no law that says you have to report a crime in progress. However, if you witness someone being injured or killed and fail to help, even simply by calling 911, there could be consequences for you. The severity of those consequences depends on what country you live in. Most modern countries have a form of the Good Samaritan Laws. In the US and Canada, Good Samaritan Laws protect from blame those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death. In other countries (as well as the Canadian province of Quebec), Good Samaritan laws describe a legal requirement for citizens to assist people in distress, unless doing so would put themselves in harm's way. Citizens are often required to, at minimum, call the local emergency number, unless doing so would be harmful, in which case, the authorities should be contacted when the harmful situation has been removed. Such laws currently exist in countries such as Italy, Japan, France, Belgium, Andorra, and Spain. If you are in the US, individual states may have laws about non-action if you are a witness to a crime. Not reporting a crime is not the same as obstruction of justice. Obstruction of justice means that you intentionally interfered in a police investigation. Aiding and abetting means that you actively helped the perpetrator of the crime evade police. Not reporting a crime does not fit into either of these categories. As a responsible adult, I do not see any possible reason of not reporting a crime, unless you were invovled or know who was involved. Police can keep the identity of witnesses confidential, so you need to report what you have seen. Also, keep in mind that if another witness who DID report the crime saw you watching it happen and doing nothing, YOU may be implicated.
I witnessed my neighbor abuse his 4-year-old. I know he saw me, and he has a temper and guns. I have kids of my own. Should I report him?
The police are not the answer. They show up and talk to the people but their hands are tied unless they see something. Most places have Human Services or Human Resources. It can be reported anonymously and if you request you may get a call letting you know what was done. Usually the people are called to come in to meet a social worker. A report is then on record. Sometimes a social worker will go to the home. Years ago my daughter had a friend who talked about how she and her mother had coat hangar fights with yelling and bad language. When I heard that her mother threw a hot iron at her I called and reported it. The whole family was called in and the problem was dealt with. The girl thought I had done it and made a couple of comments and gave me dirty looks but I never admitted it but the physical stuff stopped. I only hope she doesn’t continue the cycle and will someday realize I did her a favor.
What do you do if you witness a crime?
Depends on what is. What are your feelings about the crime? Is it something you wanna go to Court over and testify over if necessary? You ok with the person family that committed the crime knowing who you are? If it's something petty like a kid throwing a rock through a window, me personally I wouldn't. I'm a 4 time convicted felon, I'm not saying that because I'm proud of it. I'm saying it because I've been around people and been places where reporting things will get you killed. The only thing I would report is Rape or Child Abuse/ Molestation. I've never been told on or had a wire wore on me. I will say this and it's not me trying to sound tough or anything but if someone did report me especially someone I don't know or ever give him a reason to. He better pray I get a life sentence. I will be going to see him when I get out if I don't. My answer is probably not the best one for most people unless you've been places where there are repercussions for telling on people it may sound extreme. You just don't know what people are capable of anymore. His family may retaliate too you just don't know who all the ripple effect of you reporting it will effect. The Cops will encourage you to but if he does start trying to get revenge I guarantee they won't be so quick to help you. If you didn't instantly report it your thinking to much about it, if your first instinct was to not report it when you saw it then I wouldn't. Your first instinct is usually the correct one.
Can i break lease if i witness murder?
on sunday 9/2/12 i had a lady knock on my door and told me to call 911, i had to close my door because i have 2 big dogs and i didnt want them to get out and possibly bite her. i went to get my phone to call 911 for her and next thing i see is a yellow shirt crouched next to my car.. and then all i hear is gunshots..i called 911 while im on the phone i seen her husband walk back across the street. he killed her. me and my family are terrified.. they blocked off the entire street they were here for almost 8 hrs. i had to go down to homicide unit and im basiclly one of the "key witness" i dont feel safe in my home anymore but my lease isnt up until jan . the guy who did it lived across the st from me so he knows where i live basically what im asking is, is there any kind of "witness" law that allows someone to early terminate the lease..