r/legaladvice•
poopmachine

Hypothetical, what are the legal issues around abandoning someone to their potential death?

So I'm definitely not doing this, but I'm really curious as to what the actual situation is. I Googled around a bit for this but couldn't find a satisfactory answer. I'm in the USA if that matters, but I assume most countries will have similar laws about this.

So let's say I'm with my friend in some remote area. We have an argument and I get tired of his nonsense and drive off, he doesn't make it back. Am I guilty of a crime? Say if he does make it back but is injured in the process, is that my responsibility?

Say if he wanders off by himself and I decide to just go home. Am I obligated to report him missing?

Say if it's in a different country? Like we went on vacation to New Guinea, had an argument and again I abandon him? If he gets eaten by head-hunters is that my problem?

What if instead of my friend, it's my wife. Does that change anything? Girlfriend?

Posted Jul 31, 2015, 11:25 PM UTC

15
Loading comments…