TR> misdemeanor criminal offenses that have to be committed in
TR> the presence of a police officer before the officer can file
RW>Hum. . .so if I commit a misdemeanor in front of 30
  >people I can get away with it as long as none of them
  >are a cop?  WOW!!  You and I both know that's a load of
  >fecal matter.  If a teacher sees a crime and reports it
  >to the cop the cop HAS to take action.
Rich, there ARE distinctions in the law between misdemeanors and 
felonies.  In Tom's state it may very well be that criminal 
prosecutions are handled in the manner he states; and in view of his
rank, I would assume that his statement on the procedure is correct.
It may have to do with whether prosecutions have to go through a
grand jury indictment or a criminal information process.  Also, can
you imagine how many misdemeanor arrests an officer would HAVE to
make on "information received" rather than personal observation if
your theory were correct?  An entire department could very quickly
become bogged down in paperwork and proceedings for misdemeanors they
did not see committed.  In your suggested scenario, there is nothing
stopping that teacher from making a citizen arrest or visiting the
prosecutors office to initiate a criminal complaint.
CHARLES HUNTER
 * 1st 2.00 #9124 * Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.
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