Can three civilians be charged for doing nothing while a man is dying in front of them?

The reasoning behind why civilians generally cannot be charged for doing nothing in a situation where someone is in distress is rooted in the principle of the duty to rescue. In many jurisdictions, there is no legal obligation for bystanders to intervene or take action when they witness someone in need of help, unless a special circumstance exists that creates such a duty, such as a close personal relationship or a certain professional role that entails a responsibility to assist.

In the absence of any law mandating an individual to provide assistance, merely being a witness to a tragic event does not constitute a legal basis for criminal charges. Therefore, the bystanders cannot be held liable simply for failing to act in a situation where someone is dying, as long as there was no legal obligation for them to intervene.

This perspective reinforces the understanding that not every failure to act leads to criminal responsibility, underscoring the distinction between moral and legal obligations in emergency situations.