The extent of criminal liability?

[phoenix2634]

• Cops in a chase accidentally hit another vehicle, kill someone. This death can reasonably be attributed to the suspect, but first degree murder? Manslaughter will do. The statute seems vicious in that case, to be used as a weapon to make the righteous feel better.​

Actually, in this case the cop may face charges of manslaughter, thanks to AZ statute 28-624(D): "D. This section does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and does not protect the driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others."

• News helicopters collide, crash while covering a police chase. The statute in Arizona makes these deaths the problem of the suspect, but as the vote suggests, such a standard might well cross the line of common sense. People seem to be having a hard time accepting that someone else's negligence should be your problem.

I don't think the guy who was arrested will see any charges related to the collision. Well, maybe at most manslaughter charges, but I don't think he'll face those, based upon a skimming of the Arizona lawbook, and no knowledge of any legal precedent.

• Guy shares marijuana with friend, chokes on a hit, falls down stairs; friend is guilty of first degree murder? The example is constructed to isolate the "murderer". It wasn't even his dope or pipe. It wasn't his house. Two people consent to commit a crime together, how is the one responsible for the other falling down the stairs? The answer, of course, is only by statute.

No a guy who shares marijuana wouldn't be charged with first degree murder. He wouldn't even be charged with manslaughter.

After reading AZ 13-1105, you then need to go to 13-3405(A-4) for marijuana, 13-3407(A-4 & 7) for dangerous drugs, and 13-3408(A-7) which reads "Transport for sale, import into this state or offer to transport for sale or import into this state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer marijuana/dangerous drugs/narcotic drug." In the case of dangerous drugs they tack on the manufacture of drugs, probably to deal with meth labs.


Really, Arizona law isn't that ridiculous. But, that's just my humble opinion.​