1 out of 4 Americans have a criminal record!

[calmloki]

There are some people with pretty serious records that I have a lot of faith in and trust with keys and cash. There are some who are legally clean or not caught that I would not do business with or wish to associate with. Criminal history may be an indicator, but it's sure no golden standard for me.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I have never even gotten a speeding ticket although I have exceeded the speed limit on any number of occasions. I was pulled over 20 years ago for speeding in Monterey CA, but the motorcycle officer let me off with a warning (the carload full of kids helped, I think). I was not REALLY speeding...it was a speed trap as you entered the tunnel at one posted speed (40) and it dropped to 25 soon after exiting which was where they picked me up.
I was also pulled over in Corning, NY about 6 years ago and after the officer looked us all over with a flashlight (we had just left a sports bar) he let us go after asking where we were headed (home, to my local hostess's house). He told me I was stopped because my car had a dealer plate "holder", or whatever it is called, around the license that he said was illegal in NY as it partially obscures the license plate. A lively co-worker was in the backseat and when we got back to PA she told everyone in the office "Tell everyone about your police record in NY". She further annoyed me because as we were pulled over, she yelped from the backseat "OMG, you had a glass of wine". Had to tell her to shut the h*ll up. Like many others here, I had to have a background check for my current job, and they check our driving record every couple of years.

The above is the extent of my "rap" sheet.

 

[W2R]

BTW, a speeding ticket does not fall under the felonies or misdemeanors label cited in the article W2R/F are good to go (back to w*rk, if they wish )...

I got a speeding ticket in 1999, on I-10 in St. James Parish, for 8 miles over the speed limit. It was a beautiful, spectacularly sunny Saturday morning in June, and nobody else was on the road, which was newly resurfaced, smooth, and fast.... I paid it ASAP, of course.

Luckily, paid speeding tickets are removed from one's record in Louisiana in about five years (I think?) and at any rate there is presently nothing on my record.

 

[NW-Bound]

See instead of looking it as 25% having a criminal record, ya just gotta flip it around and it sounds a lot better. Over 75% of American DON'T have a criminal record. Feel better?

No! Just think of all the other ones that have not been caught.

The FBI says no felony convictions, my former employer says no felony or class a misdemeanors (and at least 10 years since your conviction for anything class b), most agencies have similar policies.

Can you give us some examples of class a and class b misdemeanors?

 

[NW-Bound]

That's a relief. Of course, that could have been years ago....

Er, you've got me... Yes, it has been more than 10 years since I left that megacorp.

Yes, I admit to doing something bad, really bad since then ...

I did some dirty market timing... Multiple times in fact.

 

[M Paquette]

I did one of those last July and convicted a guy for possessing a fraction of a gram of crystal methamphetamine in a pipe.

During the trial (especially during the defense attorney's objections, and the occasional offhand police witness remark) it was clear that the defendant had done things that were much worse than this, and had succeeded in pissing off most of the Honolulu Police Dept. I don't know if he actually had to go to trial on those other issues (if indeed they had the probable cause or evidence to do so) but it was pretty clear that they wanted him off the streets.

This was nothing so obvious. A husband/wife dispute that wound up with him busted on a domestic violence charge and her in on drug charges. His domestic violence was basically stopping his wife from driving by physically removing the keys from her hand. He wanted to stop her because she was whacked out of her mind from her Vicoden stash. We had to sit through two days of testimony from the arresting officer, toxicology reports, social workers, etc.

There was no evidence of any sort of physical injury. Plenty of evidence that she wasn't fit to drive, though, and her own testimony was that he had taken the keys from her hand, after which she called 911.

The DA had a campaign promise for zero tolerance on domestic violence cases, so there we were.

Lesson: Never try to stop a drunk or druggie from driving. The local DA will have you up on charges. Let them go kill themselves and some random strangers.

I should probably note that most of our local law enforcement folks are a bit saner, and would have kept this mess away from Dudley Do-Right the DA and handled it quietly. Sometimes people take 'by the book' a little too much to heart, and wind up causing more harm than good.

 

[obgyn65]

You have nothing to fear either from those of us who are clinicians (i.e. MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs, etc.). Felony is a bad omen if you want to keep your license active.

But you have nothing to fear from me, as I have never worked for the government but have been involved in works that required security clearance. And I do not even know where you live.

 

[ziggy29]

This was nothing so obvious. A husband/wife dispute that wound up with him busted on a domestic violence charge and her in on drug charges. His domestic violence was basically stopping his wife from driving by physically removing the keys from her hand. He wanted to stop her because she was whacked out of her mind from her Vicoden stash. We had to sit through two days of testimony from the arresting officer, toxicology reports, social workers, etc.

There was no evidence of any sort of physical injury. Plenty of evidence that she wasn't fit to drive, though, and her own testimony was that he had taken the keys from her hand, after which she called 911.

The DA had a campaign promise for zero tolerance on domestic violence cases, so there we were.

Lesson: Never try to stop a drunk or druggie from driving. The local DA will have you up on charges. Let them go kill themselves and some random strangers.

Hate to bring it up, but... show of hands. If the genders were reversed, does anyone think the "abusive" wife would be charged with domestic violence? And would a jury still convict?

 

[hakuna matata]

[And then there were all the "gee, I didn't know that was against the law" people - caught many of them when we started asking the questions about their sex lives.]

Okay now you have me curious. What possible reason would an employer want to know about your sex life? And what would be illegal? And more importantly how could they prove it? Or are you talking sodomy laws--are they even enforceable?

 

[BigNick]

Hate to bring it up, but... show of hands. If the genders were reversed, does anyone think the "abusive" wife would be charged with domestic violence? And would a jury still convict?

Not sure about the first, but the poster told us earlier in the thread (I think) that the husband was not convicted.

 

[NW-Bound]

Okay now you have me curious. What possible reason would an employer want to know about your sex life? And what would be illegal? And more importantly how could they prove it? Or are you talking sodomy laws--are they even enforceable?

It's probably about prostitution, sex with a minor, or something like that. Or so I hope.

Er, you've got me... Yes, it has been more than 10 years since I left that megacorp.

Yes, I admit to doing something bad, really bad since then ...

I did some dirty market timing... Multiple times in fact.

Damn!

The law takes into consideration the defendant's intention and state of mind when the act was committed.

How do I change my plea to innocent now? How do they prove that I was not simply practicing "rebalancing", or at most "tactical asset allocation".

 

[Moemg]

It's probably about prostitution, sex with a minor, or something like that. Or so I hope.



/QUOTE]


Or maybe it's that playful bondage with handcuffs ?

 

[glippy]

I'm not surprised, I'd bet greater than 80% of it is drugs.

My SO, my little brother, and at least 1 friend have a marijuana arrest on their record. I have one friend in his 50's who had a DUI when he was 19.

It's not that surprising when 41% of the US population have used marijuana, 15% have used cocaine, and 26% of people have drank underage.

Not to mention our current and previous presidents have both used cocaine and would have criminal records themselves if only they got caught. Bush may in fact have a record due to that mysterious DUI in Maine in the early 80's that got hushed up. Clinton, too, smoked marijuana but "didn't inhale". So he too would have a record had he been caught.

Makes you wonder, when 41% of the population have all committed the same crime. - And 1 in 4 Americans have criminal records. Is it really because 1 in 4 people are nefarious, irresponsible criminals? Or is it because we live under a criminal code that reaches way beyond simply keeping people from infringing on each others' rights.

 

[NW-Bound]

It's probably about prostitution, sex with a minor, or something like that. Or so I hope.

Or maybe it's that playful bondage with handcuffs ?

Hmm... Interesting...

This might just give somebody another idea for a poll.

Not to mention our current and previous presidents have both used cocaine and would have criminal records themselves if only they got caught. Bush may in fact have a record due to that mysterious DUI in Maine in the early 80's that got hushed up. Clinton, too, smoked marijuana but "didn't inhale". So he too would have a record had he been caught.

Makes you wonder, when 41% of the population have all committed the same crime. - And 1 in 4 Americans have criminal records. Is it really because 1 in 4 people are nefarious, irresponsible criminals? Or is it because we live under a criminal code that reaches way beyond simply keeping people from infringing on each others' rights.

I myself have never inhaled anything more than cigarette smoke. And I am still suspicious of MJ users.

But the fact that ordinary citizens get caught and our nation leaders got away with it is simply awful. It's shameful!

 

[M Paquette]

And would a jury still convict?

Definitely not convicted. I think one of the first comments once we were in the jury room for deliberations was "Why the heck are we even here?"

We still took our time going over the points making up each charge, but it was pretty clear how everyone would decide.

 

[RetiredGypsy]

[And then there were all the "gee, I didn't know that was against the law" people - caught many of them when we started asking the questions about their sex lives.]

Unless it was sex with a minor or a goat, what someone does in the privacy of their bedroom can prevent them from getting a job?

I'm not surprised, I'd bet greater than 80% of it is drugs.

According to stats from the feds, it's about 50% in jail for drugs. I can't get the Bureau of Justice Statistics site to load, but maybe someone else will have better luck:

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)

Fitting though. Trying to stop sex and drugs have been the two largest failures and stupidest measures ever taken on by this country in terms of law enforcement. At least they stopped before they hit rock and roll, but just barely.

 

[Leonidas]

Give us some examples of class a and class b misdemeanors.

The difference is mostly one of increasing seriousness of the activity based on the amount of pecuniary loss, injuries sustained, status of the victim, etc.

For example. Wander about in public flashing your private parts and it's a case of indecent exposure (class B). But, find yourself a partner and engage in sexual activity out in the public eye, and it's called Lewd Conduct (class A).

If you got upset at someone and threaten to kick their ass - that's Assault Class C. If you touch someone (no pain/no injury) in an offensive or provocative manner, that's Assault Class C. Do either of those to an elderly person and it becomes Assault Class B. If you cause injury (pain) in the course of touching someone, and the offense is Assault Class A. Do it to a public servant and it become a Third Degree Felony. Do it to the wrong public servant and you would spend some time in the jail ward at the county hospital.

I should probably note that most of our local law enforcement folks are a bit saner, and would have kept this mess away from Dudley Do-Right the DA and handled it quietly. Sometimes people take 'by the book' a little too much to heart, and wind up causing more harm than good.

I don't know where you live, but many states have a mandatory arrest law on domestic violence cases. That's not the law in Texas, but many departments have more restrictive policy that makes arrest mandatory. No officer is going to risk his job if the law and evidence tell him he can make an arrest and policy mandates that arrest. Some states have made laws in which the prosecution will continue even if the victim recants the original allegations and appears as a witness for the defense.

Okay now you have me curious. What possible reason would an employer want to know about your sex life? And what would be illegal? And more importantly how could they prove it? Or are you talking sodomy laws--are they even enforceable?

The law is the law, and having law breakers enforce laws would seem - silly.

It's probably about prostitution, sex with a minor, or something like that. Or so I hope.

We don't have to go into all the gory details, do we? Just think of it this way: It's kinky if you use a feather as a sex toy. It's perverted if you use the whole chicken.

 

[glippy]

According to stats from the feds, it's about 50% in jail for drugs. I can't get the Bureau of Justice Statistics site to load, but maybe someone else will have better luck.

Well that's people in jail. Not people with criminal records. I assume criminal record simply means an arrest. I'm sure a lot of people with minor drug possession charges never do time, so won't be reflected in the prison population, but will be reflected in the population of people with criminal records due to the arrest.

 

[RetiredGypsy]

Well that's people in jail. Not people with criminal records. I assume criminal record simply means an arrest. I'm sure a lot of people with minor drug possession charges never do time, so won't be reflected in the prison population, but will be reflected in the population of people with criminal records due to the arrest.

I was just adding information, not trying to say you're wrong.

It was one (among many) nice things about the military, that you could practically get a waiver for anything that wasn't too bad on your record. It has allowed a whole lot of people to have brighter futures than they otherwise may have.

 

[Ally]

We have to do criminal background checks on everyone at work every 2 yrs. I'm not really surprised at the statistics.

 

[Martha]

There's a difference between habitual "career" stupid/criminal behavior and a one-and-done stupid non-violent mistake committed in one's youth. IMO, it really sucks that we've become such a scarlet letter society that one dumb, nonviolent transgression from decades ago that someone has learned from and never repeated stays with them as a scarlet letter for life. What incentive is there for people to learn from a mistake and better themselves if there are no second chances any more? Seems like we're making crime and reoffending a more attractive option by doing so.

Frankly, I think nonviolent first offense misdemeanor conviction records should be sealed after about 7-10 years, and never again disclosed to potential employers, insurers or credit providers unless someone offends again.

Absolutely agree.

 

[hakuna matata]

The law is the law, and having law breakers enforce laws would seem - silly.

So how many people have your arrested for the following?

I?m Under Arrest for What? Fifty Bizarre U.S. Laws - DivineCaroline-

I hope Nords has a boat there in Hawaii!

So there aren't any police out there who have violated the sodomy law (which I believe most states and jurisdictions have since repealed, but they were in place at some point). Interesting, I didn't know our boys in blue were so....er not silly.

But maybe I am obtuse (not the first time I have been accused of that!) but other then sodomy (or obvious things such as sex with a minor/prostitute, etc.) I honestly can't think of anything sexual that could be against the law. Maybe I am naive? I mean I agree having lawbreakers enforce the law would be silly--but what is against the law in the privacy of my bedroom. I needs to know so I can make sure I am staying on the straight and narrow! I mean what if my wife is making me break the law, I have to inform her right away!

 

[Nords]

We don't have to go into all the gory details, do we? Just think of it this way: It's kinky if you use a feather as a sex toy. It's perverted if you use the whole chicken.

I'm tellin' ya, Leo, ya gotta start writin' this stuff down with an outline and chapter headings. A book agent would be able to turn you into a modern version of both Joseph Wambaugh and "Ed McBain". At the very least a Cosmo magazine article titled "How I Met My Wife".

I hope Nords has a boat there in Hawaii!

My boats shot torpedoes & missiles, so somehow the authorities never got around to checking my license...

 

[NW-Bound]

I?m Under Arrest for What? Fifty Bizarre U.S. Laws - DivineCaroline-

Thanks for posting the above.

Arizona: Cutting down a cactus may earn you a twenty-five-year prison term.​

I think this was meant to prevent the destruction of natural flora on public land. As such, what is so bizarre about it?

But, consider the following:

Virginia: Tickling a woman is unlawful.​

I have had female forum members telling me via PMs or "Thank You" notes that my posts made them laugh or giggle. Would that be considered "verbal tickling" and get me in trouble?

 

[M Paquette]

All this was forseen, of course. From the One True Book:

"Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be
much easier to deal with."

-- Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged", 1957