Is letting someone die the same thing as killing?
 

Is letting someone die the same as killing?

Discuss / Debate

No. Unless I'm responsible for getting them into the near-death situation.

depends on the situation......

This terri schiavo has been talked to death, literally.

Both will get you a long time in the slammer with Bubba

Not necessarily true. If you're walking by and see someone in need of help, in certain situations you could be held accountable if your inactivity caused that person's death.

As in... if it's proven that the person would have lived had you done something within your power to do and you neglected to do it, you could go to jail.

I don't even know what the local laws are on this where I live, but I'm sure there are areas in the US that have such laws. And I agree with them... If someone is sinking in quicksand, they have their hand outstretched and you just stand there watching them die, damn rights you should do time.

i saw Batman Begins last night and the movie makes a clear distinction so i'm going with not the same thing.

ya me too

i don't think so...

Yea but not all states in the U.S have what we in California have called the Good Samaritans Law.

meaning if you do try to help someone and you actually cause more harm and thier death, you cant get sued.

But for the states that dont have this, people tend to avoid situations like the one you mentioned.

not at all

if you let them die, they died on their own will.

but if you KILL them, their death comes from a fatal act on your part.

I'm no atty but I'm sure if you see someone dying and do nothing to help you could be held liable in some states. I mean you are not required to perform CPR but by not calling for help may get you into some trouble. Depends on the situation and the prosecutor. I'm sure if a prosecutor wanted, he could find something to charge you with.

Wrong.

I can think of several situations where you would get in trouble for doing nothing or walking away. What about if you are in a motor vehicle accident, and the car you hit is badly smashed? You are okay, but the people in that car are in need of help. You drive away, and they later die but it is proven that had you helped get them to safety they would have lived.

You telling me you're not liable?

Bullshit.


You're walking through a park and you see a guy hanging from a tree all tangled up in a parachute. All you have to do is reach up and help him get untangled, but you don't so he strangles to death. I suppose if no one sees you being a negligent idiot you're fine, but again if it's proven that a person could have been saved had you done something basic I have no doubt a person could go to prison for being an uncaring shithead.

1st, youre liable already because you left the scene of an accident.

once again, it all depends upon the situation. what if a person had mental issues or some kind of hardcore social anxiety and was scared to help the person. what if you didnt help the person out of fear of it being a trap or they might try and harm you?

a guy hanging in a tree is no concern of mine nor would I involve myself in a situation like that. sure if the dude needed to be released, I'd help him out, but if he was 70 ft in the air and I would simply tell him/her to hang in there(haha) and I would call the proper authorities to come help him out. no way in fuck just because I am there am I going to climb a 70 ft. tree and try and help him. if he fell to his death while they were on their way to come help him, it wouldnt be my fault.

'sup 'juf -- :banana

1. there's a legal answer

2. there's a moral answer

both these lines drift into the opposite end of the other camp, according to circumstances -- sometimes morality = :thumbsup , but legality = :( , sometimes, whole enchilada = :yinyang


this reminds me of the final seinfeld episode -- :)

2HP

It will always depend on every situataion man. The best example would be the 'Uthanasia'(correct my spelling), you simply allow a person to die just to shorten his/her suffering..

I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt, so sexy it hurts.