Legal Question

[wrestler1ump]

If I were to see some people shooting off firecrackers in a building and someone calls the cops on them, and later on I see them hanging out and I tell them to go hideout someplace because the cops are after them, could I get in trouble?

[trapyoung]

yes, obstruction of justice

[Gregrios]

If I were to see some people shooting off firecrackers in a building and someone calls the cops on them, and later on I see them hanging out and I tell them to go hideout someplace because the cops are after them, could I get in trouble?

If by some miracle the cops could indeed prove that you helped them, it would be considered obstruction of justice.

Why? Did one of the kids tell on you?

[Gregrios]

yes, obstruction of justice

Only if you get caught.

[wrestler1ump]

If I were to see some people shooting off firecrackers in a building and someone calls the cops on them, and later on I see them hanging out and I tell them to go hideout someplace because the cops are after them, could I get in trouble?

If by some miracle the cops could indeed prove that you helped them, it would be considered obstruction of justice.

Why? Did one of the kids tell on you?

I didn't tell them, but I was thinking about telling them the cops were after them. Guess it was a good idea not to say anything. But I mean come on they set off some fireworks under a school portable. It's not like they were hurting anyone or breaking anything.

[PLAYER57832]

The real question is why you think it is OK to possibly set a building on fire, hurt people or have the many other negative consequences that made folks establish the law.

EDIT: (my post and yours crossed)

A school portable is bought and paid for by taxpayers. So, it DOES hurt someone.. it hurts everyone who pays and the kids in that school who might not have the gym or band equipment they want. Further, the emergency rooms are full of kids who were "just playing" with fireworks.

[OnlyAmbrose]

I highly doubt the DA would bother pursuing a kid who told some other kids to hide after they set off firecrackers.

[wrestler1ump]

The real question is why you think it is OK to possibly set a building on fire, hurt people or have the many other negative consequences that made folks establish the law.

EDIT: (my post and yours crossed)

A school portable is bought and paid for by taxpayers. So, it DOES hurt someone.. it hurts everyone who pays and the kids in that school who might not have the gym or band equipment they want. Further, the emergency rooms are full of kids who were "just playing" with fireworks.

I don't know if those fireworks were intended to actually break through the floor, but like you said it sure wasn't a safe idea to crawl underneath something and light fireworks.

[Interfacer PH]

I have the feeling we're not getting the whole story...

[PLAYER57832]

I don't know where you live, how big those kids were, etc. But, sometimes you do people favors by turning them in, though they sure won't see it that way. Better jail/juvi than hurt or killed. (or hurting someone else ... )

I would not put myself in danger over something like this. It was property, but if you could let someone know quietly (not even necessarily the cops).. it might have been a good idea.

Anyway, your question was whether you should warn them ... a big step beyond "looking the other way".

[PLAYER57832]

I have the feeling we're not getting the whole story...

[wrestler1ump]

I don't know where you live, how big those kids were, etc. But, sometimes you do people favors by turning them in, though they sure won't see it that way. Better jail/juvi than hurt or killed. (or hurting someone else ... )

I would not put myself in danger over something like this. It was property, but if you could let someone know quietly (not even necessarily the cops).. it might have been a good idea.

Anyway, your question was whether you should warn them ... a big step beyond "looking the other way".

Looking back it may have been best to turn them in. But that would have been hard as I saw the four of them biking as I was getting a ride from somewhere, so it wouldn't have been easy to let any cops know their whereabouts.

[btownmeggy]

Looking back it may have been best to turn them in.

Nooooo.

Don't be ridiculous.

Do you want to be Jamie? [Can someone find the appropriate link?]

[wrestler1ump]

Okay here is another one. How much would I be hurting someone a couple months underage if I gave them my ID so that they could get into a bar?

[wrestler1ump]

Looking back it may have been best to turn them in.

Nooooo.

Don't be ridiculous.

Do you want to be Jamie? [Can someone find the appropriate link?]

Well if I did it anonymously it wouldn't have harmed anybody.

[btownmeggy]

Looking back it may have been best to turn them in.

Nooooo.

Don't be ridiculous.

Do you want to be Jamie? [Can someone find the appropriate link?]

Well if I did it anonymously it wouldn't have harmed anybody.

It wouldn't have harmed YOU. It would have harmed the people you'd narked out on.

Imagine if they'd entered the juvenile probation system. It would be something they'd have had to write on every college application. The harm it would have had on those individuals doing something that does not intentionally physically injure anyone is way more profound than the harm to the "taxpayers".

[Gregrios]

Okay here is another one. How much would I be hurting someone a couple months underage if I gave them my ID so that they could get into a bar?

Worst case scenerio, they get thrown out of the bar. No real harm would come from this unless they literally get thrown out.

EDIT: Although I don't know what could happen to you. My guess is you would get fined just like distributing liquir to a minor but I'm not sure on that.

[jonesthecurl]

I see you're from Canada. I could tell you what I know about UK law, others could do so about US law, others of course will just bs happily on any subject put in front of them, or that is passing through their sad excuses for brains at the moment.

But for a real answer to your questions you need someone who has a passing knowledge at least of Canadian law.

[jay_a2j]

Okay here is another one. How much would I be hurting someone a couple months underage if I gave them my ID so that they could get into a bar?

Why not just venture into a life of crime? Is it so hard to "do the right thing"?


Would you want someone to "help" these guys if they were setting firecrackers off at YOUR house?

What, they can't wait "a couple" months to drink legally? If the small things are dismissed as "not a big deal" how long before you encounter a "big thing" and dismiss it as well?

[Juan_Bottom]

If the small things are dismissed as "not a big deal" how long before you encounter a "big thing" and dismiss it as well?

'Okay. Here's another one. This guy that my friend knows needs some muscle down by the docks. I'm only supposed to be down there like twenty minutes, and I'm only gonna be needed if the Batman shows......................'

[PLAYER57832]

Looking back it may have been best to turn them in.

Nooooo.

Don't be ridiculous.

Do you want to be Jamie? [Can someone find the appropriate link?]

Well if I did it anonymously it wouldn't have harmed anybody.

It wouldn't have harmed YOU. It would have harmed the people you'd narked out on.

Imagine if they'd entered the juvenile probation system. It would be something they'd have had to write on every college application.

Juvenile records are SEALED. No dice.
If there was no serious damage or injury they would likely just get a "talking to" and remanded to their parents.

Even if they did get charged, the only time it might come up is if they were entering law enforcement or a high-security clearance operation. And, they are looking for a bit more than some fireworks shenanigans.

The harm it would have had on those individuals doing something that does not intentionally physically injure anyone is way more profound than the harm to the "taxpayers".

[/quote]

The worst that could happen is hurting themselves or starting a fire, potentially damaging much more than just the outhouse.

My husband is fire chief. I used to be an EMT ... I have seen too much of the other side. I talking to, even time in juvenile detention are much better than living with 1/2 a face for the rest of your life.

[wrestler1ump]

Imagine if they'd entered the juvenile probation system. It would be something they'd have had to write on every college application. The harm it would have had on those individuals doing something that does not intentionally physically injure anyone is way more profound than the harm to the "taxpayers".

Good point, but I don't think the criminal justice system sees it that way. Like another poster said, fireworks under a school portable goes beyond petty vandalism and into the realm of risking lives.

Worst case scenerio, they get thrown out of the bar. No real harm would come from this unless they literally get thrown out.

EDIT: Although I don't know what could happen to you. My guess is you would get fined just like distributing liquir to a minor but I'm not sure on that.

It resulted in a minimal fine, but I was told it could cost me something like $3000. That's a lot of money for a college student.

I see you're from Canada. I could tell you what I know about UK law, others could do so about US law, others of course will just bs happily on any subject put in front of them, or that is passing through their sad excuses for brains at the moment.

But for a real answer to your questions you need someone who has a passing knowledge at least of Canadian law.

I have read a lot of articles on crime, but have almost never read about someone being charged for obstruction of justice or even guilty by association. Personally I think the guilty by association charge is a bunch of BS- it is the responsibility of the perpetrator to not commit the crime.

Why not just venture into a life of crime? Is it so hard to "do the right thing"?


Would you want someone to "help" these guys if they were setting firecrackers off at YOUR house?

What, they can't wait "a couple" months to drink legally? If the small things are dismissed as "not a big deal" how long before you encounter a "big thing" and dismiss it as well?

It all takes good judgement I guess, and a law is a law.

[Gregrios]

Okay here is another one. How much would I be hurting someone a couple months underage if I gave them my ID so that they could get into a bar?

Why not just venture into a life of crime? Is it so hard to "do the right thing"?


Would you want someone to "help" these guys if they were setting firecrackers off at YOUR house?

What, they can't wait "a couple" months to drink legally? If the small things are dismissed as "not a big deal" how long before you encounter a "big thing" and dismiss it as well?

I don't think he was looking for an answer that deep but you're absolutely right Jay.

It can cause an aweful spiral effect when it comes to getting in trouble with the law.

Afterall I'm living proof. First it starts out with going to the bar 2 months before my 19th birthday, then thinking that I can do anything I want behind the wheel without getting in trouble.

Six years later I can make a 35 page book with the fines I've accumilated.

Jail saved my butt.

The point is if you start thinking that you're even a little bit above the law then you better be very self aware if you want to elude the spiral effect.

[suggs]

Buy more fire crackers.

[heavycola]

If I were to see some people shooting off firecrackers in a building and someone calls the cops on them, and later on I see them hanging out and I tell them to go hideout someplace because the cops are after them, could I get in trouble?

You are going to burn in hell.