Has Everyone Committed a Crime?
In the course of my life, I've found myself in various legal predicaments, spending 15 years in state prisons across California for theft/larceny related felonies. Beginning my journey as an 8-year-old blueberry hubba bubba thief, I've evolved into a more sophisticated practitioner of the art of thievery, adhering to a strict set of principles that ensure my continued success in illegal activities. Among these principles, one stands out as particularly critical: “Never shit where you eat”. This means avoiding the theft of items or property from individuals with whom you have a consistent, long-term relationship, as it can undermine your integrity and trustworthiness.
Integrity is paramount for a thief; it's a superpower that simplifies the act of stealing. People who trust you are more likely to entrust their belongings to you, making it much easier to access and take what you need. As I've aged, my approach to theft has become more refined, teaching me how to practically and effectively avoid detection. While the concept of being caught is important, the fact remains that most people can be influenced to have committed some form of illegal activity, even if it’s as minor as a parking ticket.
Speeding and Traffic Violations: Minor but Alarming
Speeding, in and of itself, is a crime. It falls under the broader category of traffic violations, which are offenses that, if serious enough, can lead to criminal charges. However, not every crime is grave. Most traffic violations, such as speeding, may seem trivial, but they all involve breaking a law and may result in fines. For instance, an officer may cite you for speeding in a residential area, but the underlying violation is the breaking of the law.
It's worth noting that minor infractions like speeding tickets can still have significant consequences. These infractions may impact your driving record, increase your insurance premiums, and could lead to more severe penalties if such offenses are repeated. Yet, most people can recount at least one instance of breaking the law, such as a speeding ticket or a similar infraction, without having to turn to the darker side of illegal activities.
The Wider Perspective: Unspoken Crimes and Everyday Law-Breaking
The notion that every person has committed a crime, at least by some standard, should be approached with a broader understanding. When we consider breaking the law, the scope becomes vast and occasionally gray. We may not all be chronic offenders or even have major legal infractions, but it's reasonable to assume that most individuals have, at one time or another, broken a law or engaged in everyday acts of illegal activity.
Ancient philosophers like Nicias of Socrates’ wisdom often pondered the nature of right and wrong. Socrates himself was known for his spirited conversations about ethics and morality, and his pivotal trial and subsequent death serve as a profound reminder of the legal and ethical boundaries that people can sometimes tread upon. While we may not all commit serious crimes like theft or murder, the idea that everyone has at least once broken a law or engaged in daily illegal activities is a concept worth exploring.
Childhood Thefts: The Innocence of Infancy
My theft as a child, taking a pack of blueberry hubba bubba from a Circle K store, was a slight offense that held no legal consequences. However, it marked the beginning of a much darker path, a journey that eventually led to my multiple felony convictions and 15 years in prison. The innocence of childhood often blurs the line between what is acceptable and what is not, highlighting a time when breaking the law might seem more like a trivial game rather than a serious violation.
Nicias of Socrates’ Wisdom
Nicias, in the tradition of philosophers like Socrates, challenges the assumption that everyone commits a crime. Socrates famously argued that individuals are accountable for their own actions and that true virtue lies in self-reflection and moral discernment. While Nicias might not have committed major crimes, his philosophical reflections on ethics and morality underscore the idea that the true essence of a crime lies in the intent and morality behind the act, rather than merely the act itself.
Everyday Illegal Activities: Parking Tickets and Beyond
A parking ticket might seem like a minor offense, but it is a clear case of breaking the law. Despite its seemingly mundane nature, a parking ticket involves violating a municipal traffic law. Yet, most people can recount at least once being cited for such an offense. These everyday legal infractions, while minor, can still have significant repercussions, affecting one's driving record and insurance premiums.
The concept of breaking the law is a complex and nuanced one, and it's worth considering that even those who have never committed a felony may still have a history of breaking minor laws. Whether it's speeding or parking in the wrong spot, these infractions are part of the daily lives of many, and they serve as a reminder that the law, while omnipresent, can be a subjective and sometimes fairly arbitrary construct.
Ultimately, the question of whether everyone has committed a crime is a complex one, and the answer depends on how one defines the term "crime." From minor infractions to serious offenses, breaking the law is a part of life for many people. The true nature of a crime lies not just in the act itself but in the context, intent, and consequences of that act. By examining both our own and others' actions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of law and morality.