Calif. bill requires witnesses to report crimes

[The Northerner]

Source: Fresno Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Witnesses could be charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report violent attacks in California under legislation approved by the state Assembly.

The bill by Democratic Assemblyman Pedro Nava of Santa Barbara follows the October gang rape of a 16-year-old girl outside Richmond High School's homecoming dance. Investigators believe as many as 10 people participated while another 20 or so watched without calling police.

Current law requires witnesses to report violent crimes when the victim is younger than 14. Nava's bill expands the requirement to include victims of all ages. Violators would face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,500.

Lawmakers approved the bill on Wednesday on a 61-3 vote. It now goes to the Senate.

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/state/story/1799348.html

[paulsby]

1. bad law, imo. and of course the worst laws are almost always kneejerk

as is this, sadly.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. Anyone who watches a girl (or woman) be raped and does nothing belongs in jail.

But I think they should serve the same amount of time that the perp does for the crime.

[LiberalFighter]

3. I agree.... in today's age with cell phones with cameras it should be easier to fight crime.

And deter it too.

[cabluedem]

40. I dont own a cellphone and I am not getting involved in putting my family at risk "fighting crime".

Do the math. I you see a friend lighting up a fat boy are you going to call the cops?

[cabluedem]

28. Bad law. If you are a passerby you should report a crime but to make it illegal: wrong! nt

[tularetom]

4. This isn't gonna solve anything

The incident that brought this measure on was horrible but they don't even know who the witnesses are.

Now they can spend time trying to catch people who saw the crime if any, instead of going after the assholes who committed the crime.

We have too many fucking laws now that we can't even enforce. Instead we keep throwing people in jail for smoking weed.

Our priorities are ass backwards

[ArcticFox]

26. It's what law enforcement has become

Police support tough laws against marijuana users for the same reason they support the notion that bystanders should be criminalized: easier, safer arrests. If a cop can make the same name for himself arresting five pot smokers as he can arresting two or three violent criminals, he's going to choose the pot smokers. They aren't dangerous; they're easy targets.

Meanwhile, all the law enforcement focus on people who aren't directly harming anyone else takes the heat off the truly dangerous criminals. There are less resources to focus on them, and arrests can be reported regardless the crime.

[cabluedem]

32. bingo and it keeps the police/justice and incareration industry alive and making money. nt

[AngryAmish]

5. What a terrible law

[cabluedem]

29. makes more money for the attorneys and prison incarceration system: once you are a felon your life

is gone. bad law.

[hatesthegop]

6. sounds unconstitutional if you ask me

although I would have reported it in a heart beat...you can't legislate good citizenship

[cabluedem]

30. it is unconstutional. never stops them before. So are DUI checkpoints where they ask for your papers

America is fast becoming like Nazi Germany and people don't even see it.

[Merchant Marine]

45. That's funny

You'll cheer the lawmakers when they try to adopt the 3rd Reich's weapons laws, don't you?

[cabluedem]

46. What the hell are you talking about?

[WeekendWarrior]

7. What is this? An Episode of Seinfeld? nt

[mbperrin]

8. Good law. No one will have to be prosecuted. Most people will do what

is required to keep themselves out of trouble.

Standing around is assisting. Period.

The whole idea of the social contract is that people are better together than the John Galt lone wolf model. This just reminds them of that. And with cell phones, easier than ever to do.

[Democat]

23. Yeah right, maybe you'll be the first person charged!

Standing around is assisting? That's ridiculous beyond comprehension.

Have you ever seen someone speeding on the freeway? How about someone smoking pot? Did you call the cops? If not, I guess you should go turn yourself in and face the jury.

Laughable.

[mbperrin]

27. As a licensed teacher, part of my contract requires me to report

suspected child abuse or neglect. If I fail to do so, I lose my license and my livelihood.

Three years ago, I had a student approach me for help. The investigation actually turned up that her father was charging upwards of 20 men at a time $50 each to do sexually as a group whatever they wanted to her for a four hour session. She was 15.

I do turn in speeders - your cell phone may save your life or someone else's. I would call the cops if anyone smoked pot around me, shot up, or beat their significant other.

Why do you think laws are not important? Are you projecting your behavior onto others?

A society that won't help the helpless deserves to end.

And please note that I have not anywhere referred to otherworld beings or some musty old book for guidance - I'm a committed atheist, and one of the reasons is because so many "believers" are such mean sob's.

[cabluedem]

37. Its people like you that allow fascism to take hold in America. I hope you like being a lowly snitch

[cabluedem]

31. who is standing around? Id keep on walking. I dont have a cell phone. nt

[Kievan Rus]

42. They tried your kind of government in Russia. Newsflash: it didn't work

[galileoreloaded]

9. Snitches get stiches..........

you can't regulate feelings of safety. JFC...

[ldf]

12. snitches get stitches

clever little retort put out by the criminals to coerce people into doing exactly what was done...

stand aside and watch while a crime (in this case a rape) occurs, and then think it is cool to not report it.

cowards, all.

:grr:

[galileoreloaded]

14. Ha! here I thought you were going to school my spelling.....in all fairness, I agree w/ you

and I hope you see that through my snark.

[Downwinder]

21. So do whistleblowers. n/t

[depakid]

24. An interesting application...

[cabluedem]

33. indeed. if someone is prosecuted a jailed they will be beat to death in prison. bad law! nt

[tomm2thumbs]

10. a conscience can't be legislated

we need more conscience exploration/teaching in younger grades to help enlighten kids on the world around them and how it is affected by things they do or do not do

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. No, but legislation should reflect our consciences

[tomm2thumbs]

22. I agree - we should outlaw being mean to others

discuss

[cabluedem]

34. As long as I have done nothing in regards a crime I am not obligated to report it. Life aint fair.nt

[alp227]

11. Of course witnesses should report crimes, but in some 'hoods snitches are victims

Maybe the state should also expand Witness Protection. How can the state reasonably expect people in the gang-infested East Oakland, Richmond, East San Jose, and South Central Los Angeles to be willing to report crimes when the perps are most definitely gonna retaliate often violently? It looks like the state is acting like those murderers, drug runners, and robbers, effectively telling witnesses "you'll be damned either way".

My other take on this issue: Such a requirement would probably hit the CRIMINALS with the same "damned either way" provision. They'd KNOW that they can't really get away perfectly with their crimes because the people are obligated by law to rat on 'em. Or, maybe the state is really, surreptitiously, euphemistically aiding gangs after all.

[John Q. Citizen]

17. True. And will kids have to report thier mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters or face

criminal sanction?

That's a barbaric law.

[cabluedem]

39. Exactly.Dad drives w/o insurance, mom smokes pot, and sisters BF beats on her so junior reports it

or goes to jail if he knew. how stupid!

[Kievan Rus]

43. The same thing happened in the Soviet Union with the KGB

Many of the people that the KGB busted were turned in by family members. The same was true for other Communist state security forces, such as the Stasi in East Germany.

[izquierdista]

13. Law vs. culture

Law is a crude way to change a culture. This crime would never have happened in the old Soviet Union. Maybe in today's Russia, but not in the Soviet Union, where the culture was that you looked out for your comrades and were expected to speak up if someone was trying to oppress them in such a manner. America is a different place than that; it hasn't changed at all since Kitty Genovese was murdered.

[Ozymanithrax]

15. No law should be necessary. If you see someone being raped or murdered..

there should be no question about what you do.

The very idea that these laws are necessary say sad things about the state of our society and the complete moral degeneracy of our youth.

If you want to watch the crime, be willing to do the time.

[cabluedem]

35. wow! just wow! If I see a crime I am under NO obligation to report it. Do you smoke pot? should I

report you too?

[MindPilot]

16. There is stupid legislation and there is reality.

This is stupid legislation.

Reality is that on two occasions I have called 911 to report crimes in progress. On both occasions they were property crimes but I was scolded by the 911 operator for calling about things in which I was not involved. I was told that since I was not the victim, it did not concern me.

And then there are those time when reporting a crime will get you killed...or worse. This is not going to fix that.

[bluestateguy]

19. Good Samaratin laws do not work

Maybe the reason why we have so many people in jail is because politicians just want to make more and more and more laws.

[christx30]

20. I can understand that...

The more things they make illegal, the more control they can have over us.
I the darkest parts of the old Soviet days, the saying was "Anything not compulsory is forbidden."

[cabluedem]

41. exactly! friend tried to help an accident victim and was subsequently sues by the persons attorney.

The laws didn't protect him and his umbrella insurance had to pony up thousands of dollars to settle the matter out of court. he won't be helping anyone again.

[ArcticFox]

25. This will scare people from reporting crimes

Say you see a crime and you're afraid to say anything right away, or just shocked and keep walking. You're the only witness. Are you going to come forward the next day with what you saw? Not if that means you'll be prosecuted.

Phychology is what it is. People often don't know what to do in the face of an unbelievable situation. Threatening prosecution just scares people from coming forward after they've reflected on what they've seen.

[cabluedem]

38. since people have a right to face thier accuser you will need to go to court if the perp is caught.

If that perp is a gang member or violent person a snitch could be targeted for death. Think about it. If two gang members try to kill each other in public I am not getting involved and putting my families lives in danger.

[cabluedem]

36. a fascist law designed to make felons of anyone who objects to reporting a crime incuding drug/ and

alcohol use. Under this law bar patrons would have to report fellow drunks and pot smokers report fellow tokers. Pure fascist BS That most people will ignore at risk of a felony charge.

[pinniped]

44. Shithead politicians should be forced to report how crooked they are.

.

[CTLawGuy]

47. this law will backfire

people won't want to admit to witnessing crimes for fear of prosecution AND will be able to plead the 5th amendment when asked to testify against criminals.

If anything this law will make it harder to fight crime.

[Honeycombe8]

48. Good. It gives law enforcement a tool to prosecute those who, because they

don't report a crime in progress, actually become part of the crime because of a failure to act.

That doesn't make them liable for rape or murder. But at least it gives law enforcement a tool to go over those who have information but intentionally refuse to help the victim or society by reporting on vicious criminals.