If, for example, you saw a family member or close friend commiting a crime of any sort, would you report them to the police and give evidence?
You really have to be a lot more specific than “crime of any sort” to have any kind of meaningful discussion.
If it’s a victimless crime like marijuana use or something where reporting it would achieve nothing like speeding, no. Otherwise, yes.
I wasn’t specific for the reason that everyone should have different opinions for different types of crime.
But, okay, how about for speeding, stealing, and murder?
No, no, yes.
I’d report someone for theft or murder.
A loved one? Not unless the crime was especially terrible or violent, like murder. My loyalty to my family supplants my loyalty to the laws of society. I would be saddened and horrified, but I’d probably do my best to help keep them out of trouble with the law, without become too much of an accomplice myself.
I would say yes for something especially terrible like murder or rape/sexual abuse. Anything else, I suppose it would be a case by case basis.
Murder and rape are pretty unforgiveable to me.
Other than that… I don’t know. The OP says ‘loved one’, which means someone I love and by extension trust. If it was serious–like theft, or some act of physical violence–I’d want to hear the reason behind it first.
If it was something very serious, like murder or rape, then yes - but only after I’d done my utmost to convince them to turn themselves in.
Does making my teenage son confess to B&E count. If so, the answer is yes.
No.
I used to say yes on all counts. But I had a dream of unparalleled vividness where a member of the family killed someone else. It would be unwise to extrapolate any feelings I get from a dream, but my feelings were overwhelmingly of a protective sort. I probably won’t turn any member of my immediate family for any thing except one which hasn’t happened yet and can still be prevented.
Did the murdered person deserve it?
All depends on the reasons.
What if the crime was pouring acid glue on Hitler?
What if the crime was shooting your trapped child in a burning car to keep him from suffering?
Hey, merry fucking Christmas, dude!
If it was a loved one, then I’d probably be involved, so definitely not!
But really, it has to be a case by case thing. It all depends on context. I can’t give a blanket answer that will most certainly apply to all situations. I think when actually faced with these situations we’re more fickle than we’d like to believe.
I have done that very thing.