On a semi-related note: are there any districts in the United States that still allow private prosecution?
Virginia, I think. Also, a kind private prosecution takes place in the “courts” of small religions communities (like the Amish) and organized crime syndicates (like the Five Families).
Well, Canada and the U.K. allow private prosecution, but there are other obstacles...
A group of people in Canada attempted to indict George W. Bush for torture in September 2011 (Bush was in Canada for a speaking engagement), but, as it turns out, any prosecution of non-Canadian citizens requires the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, which was refused.
Off the top of my head, my response would be that for private prosecution to be ethically legitimate, it should require a victim in the jurisdiction in question. Was there a Canadian victim in that case? (Not a rhetorical question, I honestly don’t know).
Eliezer, do you consider this a valid question to be discussed on LW?
On a semi-related note: are there any districts in the United States that still allow private prosecution?
Virginia, I think. Also, a kind private prosecution takes place in the “courts” of small religions communities (like the Amish) and organized crime syndicates (like the Five Families).
Good question. I don’t know.
Anybody?
Well, Canada and the U.K. allow private prosecution, but there are other obstacles...
A group of people in Canada attempted to indict George W. Bush for torture in September 2011 (Bush was in Canada for a speaking engagement), but, as it turns out, any prosecution of non-Canadian citizens requires the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, which was refused.
Off the top of my head, my response would be that for private prosecution to be ethically legitimate, it should require a victim in the jurisdiction in question. Was there a Canadian victim in that case? (Not a rhetorical question, I honestly don’t know).
Eliezer, do you consider this a valid question to be discussed on LW?
The four people asserting that they were victims were physically present in Canada at the time; I do not know if any of them were Canadian citizens.