A Legal Duty or Simply a Moral Imperative?

I am not legally required to assist an innocent individual in dire life straits, nor to dial 911.  Speaking for myself, if I did not assist such an individual, by at least dialing 911, my conscience would not rest easy.

Should a law be established, with penalties in the form of fines and incarceration, which dictates that individuals are legally bound to dial 911 if they stumble upon a situation wherein an innocent individual’s life is in danger of being snuffed out, or is simply in some type of emergency situation?

I think not, though there are six states that have such laws on the books.

A Michigan representative, Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Township), is going to attempt to push legislation through in Michigan which would make it a crime to not dial 911 if an individual happens upon another individual requiring emergency assistance.

This is an improper use of state powers, and just another attempt to legislate morality.  The events which have been the catalyst for Smith’s decision to push for such legislation do indeed produce feelings of sadness, but laws should not be established based on feelings, but reason.

A legal duty to call 911 Man’s death leads to push for legislative bill

Posted by on 07/24 at 04:12 PM

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