MovieChat Forums > North Country (2005) Discussion > why wasnt the teacher arrested after the...

why wasnt the teacher arrested after the court found out he raped her??


I just found that really odd!!!

reply

he was subpoenaed as an impeachment witness to show that Josey was an unreliable witness. Rape, as far as I know, has a statute of limitation for 7 years but maybe vary state to state. He wasn't there to be prosecuted, nor was evidence brought forth to show consent. The only proof that could be substantiated is that the kid is the teacher's, DNA testing. The movie and story is not about the rape of Josey when she was younger, but about her experience and harassment in the mine. The story focuses on that. Maybe later something could be brought against the teacher, but 2 hrs is hardly enough time to deal with the mining harassment.

"Nice beaver!"
"Thanks, I just had it stuffed."
--The Naked Gun

reply

She'd have to press charges against him, anyway. And that would be treated completely separate from the civil case.
She already decided not to, especially with the birth of her son.
I think such a person would have been through enough as it is.
One lawsuit like that in a lifetime would likely be one more than anyone would care for.

reply

[deleted]

[deleted]

I agree with the previous posters that this guy is not a priority for Josie. She's been through enough and there is a statute of limitations on rape. She could probably sue him for child support but why bother?

On the other hand, if I were a parent with a child in that man's school I would be demanding his resignation. I wouldn't want him anywhere near my kids. Even if he never gets convicted or sued, he should be hounded by the community, the bastard.

HermioneO

Lovin' that goofy Viggo Smile

reply

I think the timeline the movie gave was about 15 years between the incident & the trial (how old is the kid? 13 or 14?).

reply

does anyone know the name of the actor who played the judge?

reply

All you have to do is look on the credits.

reply

when they found out the guy raped her, why did the attorney say something like there wasnt a rape and that she had an ongoing sexual relationship with the teacher...what was all that about?

reply

[deleted]

They wanted her to seem like a whore. It worked for the most part, since her kids had two different fathers. Uhm, there's other "evidence" too, but I can't remember what.

Hi! Down here!
*~Esther~*

reply

why did u spoil the movie in your topic title!?

reply

cause that's how he rolls. free speech. going to the boards before you watched the movie and expecting no spoilers is lik a woman going to a mine in 89 and expecting no sexist jokes.

reply

Maybe the Statute of Limitation had run out on the crime. I believe murder is the only criminal charge on which there is no Statute of Limitations.

reply

he wasn't arrested because there were no witnesses to the crime so it was exempt.
duh.

reply

Duh,...I believe Bobby Sharp was a F'n' Witness! Too bad Josie's Father didn't shoot the Bastard in the Courtroom,...overall,...a very good movie and get's a thumb's up from me!

The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get!

reply

Technically, Bobby wasn't in the room when the rape took place so I don't think he would be considered a witness.

reply

________________________________________________________________________________

rockstar3722 said:

he wasn't arrested because there were no witnesses to the crime so it was exempt.
duh.

________________________________________________________________________________



What country do you live in? Does there have to be an audience to watch it in order to confirm it's rape? While statue of limitations would probably apply, you don't need witnesses to prove rape.

reply

"exempt." LOL

the rape was never reported because she was ashamed and didn't want her parents to know. she also didn't want her son to know. THAT'S why he wasn't arrested prior to the court room scene. but if the statute of limitations had not expired, he could still have been prosecuted afterwards.

and although Bobby was a witness, it is assumed that he and Josie never spoke of it.

reply