alibi?

[gabbysmom]

I've been watching a lot of Law and Order recently. This summer I watched 5 seasons of Criminal Intent and now I'm working my way through SVU. It occurred to me that every time someone is accused of something they are asked to account for their whereabouts. I live alone, so I don't have anyone to vouch for the fact that I was home. I could teach

Comments

[krikkert]

You are not a criminal, no, but you might be framed as one.

Remember, you are presumed innocent. An alibi is meant to reinforce that innocence -- lack of an alibi in no way means guilt.

[gabbysmom]

Why would someone frame me? Now I'm worried!

A lack of an alibi doesn't mean guilt but it certainly is suspicious.

[krikkert]

Well, usually to take the fall for them.

It depends on what you mean by 'alibi'. What an alibi is is an explanation of what you did while the murder/theft/whatever took place. As such, very few people lack an alibi, and if they do, it is very suspicious. What most people mean, on the other hand, is an independently verified alibi -- that someone, or something, proves that you were there. Your computer, for instance, can verify that you edited your Master's thesis at that time. Lacking verification isn't necessarily suspicious, unless there should be SOME evidence. "I was at home all evening" is a credible alibi, even with little verification. "I was out bowling, shopping, and had a walk in the park -- paid cash everywhere", on the other hand, is very suspicious.

[gabbysmom]

Why is "home all evening" credible when no one can verify it? Any criminal can declare that they were "home all evening" and be lying.

I would sooner believe the "bowling/shopping/walking" theory since even when paying cash there is perhaps a new item that was acquired (perhaps with a receipt) and several places that might recall a particular person having indeed been there. Some of those locations may even have security cameras to be able to verify.

[gianina]

and I was ready to be your alibi.. if you decide to become a criminal and need an alibi, give me a call!

[gabbysmom]

Awww, thanks hun! That's sweet! And I'll do the same for you. Though teaching your kids to say they were with mommy might be more effective because they're cute little kids.

[nolawitch]

If you have a static IP address, it certainly would verify that you were home at the time your posts are stamped.

None of that would matter if the government wanted to get you; all they would have to do is declare you an enemy combatant and your habeus corpus rights are gone while you languish in Gitmo.

[gabbysmom]

There's a frightening thought, gee, I feel much better now! ;)

[dibalh]

"I'm not a criminal. I don't need to worry about it."

This is the same bad logic that leads people to believe they don't need privacy rights when they have nothing to hide. It's highly unlikely you'll ever need an alibi, though, it's true.

[gabbysmom]

Good point. At least I don't personally believe that it applies to privacy rights. I like my privacy rights, even if I believe them to be stronger than they actually are.