Are we obligated to tell the authorities

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I don’t know if I put this in the correct category. I am wondering if we are obligated to tell the authorities if we know of someone breaking the law. Aren’t we allowed to just not get involved and stay out of it?
 
For the most part, yes.
If the law in question is just, absolutely.
however, if the law is not in accordance with Divine Law, we are under no obligation and may be discouraged from doing as such.

For example, murder. If you see someone murdered, you should tell the authorites.
However, if the government has prohibited Catholicism and you are obligated by law to turn in anyome who goes to Mass, you are under no obligation to do so by the Church.
 
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So if we know of someone doing something illegal we need to say to the police? What if that puts you in danger?
 
Then that’s up to the individual and the risks they want to take.
 
Not if you’re a minor. And for most laws, neither are adults.
 
Blessings
As Macmillan said, Consider safety is important. If you report it, figure the safest way to do it. Do not have Police come to your house. Make a call from outside your house. If you go to Police station, could someone see you there?Can an policeman, in plain clothes,meet you for lunch or coffee.??? I don’t know if that is melodramatic or necessary. If you don’t say something, will the criminal keep doing bad things. ??
God bless
Tweedlealice
 
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Thanks, what kind of things would an adult have to turn in (even tho I am still not an adult and in the UK). Also if it was a crime an adlult should turn in would you turn in the ones you know of now when you are an adult?
 
michael-kaw said:
Thanks but What do you mean?
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Are you being a busy-body?

21 Important Bible Verses About Busybodies

Bible verses about busybodies When you're not doing something productive in your life that leads many people to gossip and worry about others in a bad way. Have you ever heard idle hands are the devil’s workshop? There's always that one person who finds out other people's information and tells...
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When the law is just, we have an obligation to report the crime in order protect innocent people.

As you are not yet an adult, I would speak with a trusted adult (school counselor, your parents, your godparents, etc.).
 
Is there official doctorine that the are obliged to tell police? Is it actually a sin?
 
Don’t do anything rash that might get you into trouble. Talk to your parents if something comes up.
 
There is no checklist of “this is a sin, this is not a sin” that covers every possible thing. This is a time when you must seek advice of a trusted grown up.

If the crime causes harm to people or property, it is our duty to do what we can to protect those people.

Let’s say you know the house next door has a meth lab in the basement, someone needs to tell the police!

On the other hand, if your best friend is a jaywalker, I’d speak to him about it because of the danger, but, I’d not dial 911.
 
michael-kaw said:
I am wondering if we are obligated to tell the authorities if we know of someone breaking the law.
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This will depend on the laws in your jurisdiction.

For example, Texas has mandatory reporting laws - this includes clergy.

Some States treat statements made during Confession as privileged communications. Texas is not one of those States.

Don’t mess with Texas…
Sec. 261.101. PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT; TIME TO REPORT. (a) A person having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall immediately make a report as provided by this subchapter.
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and
Sec. 261.202. PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION. In a proceeding regarding the abuse or neglect of a child, evidence may not be excluded on the ground of privileged communication except in the case of communications between an attorney and client.
Click to expand...
 
I am in London. I don’t think that by law you need to turn people in where I live but I was more asking if we have some sort of moral obligation to report peoples crimes to the police
 
There are times when one does have a moral responsibility to report crimes. You are not yet a mature adult, so, making that distinction is above your pay grade. Tell a trusted adult, your pastor, your mom, your school counselor, a teacher, about the crime and ask for them to help you sort it out.
(I’d hope if you witnessed child abuse, murder, rape, etc you would dial 911 or whatever the UK equivalent of 911 is)
 
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