# What obligation does a private citizen have to answer police questions about another person's crime? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 27, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318 "2009-10-27T16:44:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/21 "2009-10-28T14:24:26Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t think this is the case. It is not a good idea, but as long as you are not under oath, it is not a crime. It is at the federal level. Under [18 USC sec. 1001](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1001.html), lying to a federal investigator in any way is a crime. Even a statement simply falsely denying guilt is [punishable](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-1579.ZO.html). Note that this is what Martha Stewart was convicted of. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/22 "2009-10-28T14:25:49Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I would advise you not to talk to the cops. Just because you witnessed a murderer running away does not mean the police are inclined to believe your story. If for any reason turn their suspicion to you you’ve put yourself in a bad situation. Great, that’s the attitude that’s really going to make a better society. Tell me, would you feel differently if it was a relative of yours that was murdered? Or, since you seem to not care about anyone else, would you feel differently if it was you that was severely beaten and robbed, but witnesses refused to cooperate? If you saw a murder and said nothing to the cops, and the perp went on to kill someone else, would you feel bad at all? ---
**Author:** ![in\_hiding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c5a1d2/32.png) [@in\_hiding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/in_hiding)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/23 "2009-10-28T14:35:27Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > It is at the federal level. Under [18 USC sec. 1001](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1001.html), lying to a federal investigator in any way is a crime. Even a statement simply falsely denying guilt is [punishable](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-1579.ZO.html). Note that this is what Martha Stewart was convicted of. What? Seriously? This is ridiculous. Is this a recent law or is it older? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/24 "2009-10-28T14:51:59Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > It is at the federal level. Under [18 USC sec. 1001](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1001.html), lying to a federal investigator in any way is a crime. Even a statement simply falsely denying guilt is [punishable](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-1579.ZO.html). Note that this is what Martha Stewart was convicted of. Ignorance fought, then - thanks. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/25 "2009-10-28T19:49:30Z")
Ta-daa! –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/26 "2009-10-28T23:54:35Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Great, that’s the attitude that’s really going to make a better society. > Tell me, would you feel differently if it was a relative of yours that was murdered? Or, since you seem to not care about anyone else, would you feel differently if it was you that was severely beaten and robbed, but witnesses refused to cooperate? If you saw a murder and said nothing to the cops, and the perp went on to kill someone else, would you feel bad at all? I did not say I would not make effort to make the information available to the police. I would not under any circumstances put my own civil liberties in jeopardy. If I know something about a crime I will speak to my lawyer before the police. There are ways to be both a good citizen and protect yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/27 "2009-10-28T23:59:55Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I did not say I would not make effort to make the information available to the police. I would not under any circumstances put my own civil liberties in jeopardy. If I know something about a crime I will speak to my lawyer before the police. There are ways to be both a good citizen and protect yourself. So you chance to witness a small child being abducted from her mother’s arms. You are close enough to note the license plate number. You still talk to your lawyer first? And, before anyone posts it, this is not a _Won’t somebody think of the children!_ argument. It’s an _exigent circumstances_ argument. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318/28 "2009-10-29T00:12:18Z")
I might be more comfortable doing so in your specific circumstance as they mother being present can help to identify I was not a participant in the crime and time may be an issue. In most circumstances I have 2 lawyers on speed dial that will answer the phone when I call. Calling one of them to relay information on my behalf is not difficult nor is the ability for any citizen to call the police and make an anonymous tip. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-obligation-does-a-private-citizen-have-to-answer-police-questions-about-another-persons-crime/515318.md?page=1)