# Burgler goes free because he's sorry **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 26, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848 "2011-10-26T13:32:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/1 "2011-10-26T13:32:02Z")
So the guy that robbed my house was released yesterday serving no time for serial burglary. I am still missing some items that he had pawned. The sherriff says that we can file for recompense but I have no clue how that works or even if we get any $ out of it to replace the stuff. I just love how once the criminal gets caught - NOW they’re sorry and want to do the right thing. What if they didn’t catch you jackwad? Would you have bought back the stuff you pawned and then return our stuff back? And what about the assclown judge putting him back on the streets? I didn’t realize that serial buglary wasn’t that serious in this county. Please tell me that in Colorado we can vote out judges. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/2 "2011-10-26T13:46:43Z")
How much was the stuff he stole worth? Was there a trial? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/3 "2011-10-26T13:47:34Z")
That truly sucks, losing your stuff and the thief walks. Have you a link to a news story about it, Cad? ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/4 "2011-10-26T13:50:15Z")
That sounds squirrelly. Are there extenuating circumstances? Like is the burglar a single mother of 3 disabled kids who would starve to death or something? Or is the burglar a 12 year old disabled kid? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/5 "2011-10-26T13:52:58Z")
I have nothing but sympathy for you. My kid accidentally left a 2-inch screwdriver in his backpack and the school found it–DA has a kitten and wants to stick him in juvie for felony “bringing a deadly weapon onto school property”. Meanwhile I’m going over criminal records of one of my plaintiffs and his rap sheet for the last 12 months reads: Auto theft - dismissed by DA Aggravated assault - dismissed by DA Auto theft - dismissed by DA Assault/robbery - dismissed by DA I know in theory it’s best to give judges some authority to dismiss a case, but in practice I’m not seeing a good system. Then again, maybe such a huge percentage of the population is lawless trash that it’s not feesible to lock 'em all up. Maybe serial burglary, robbery and assault pale in comparison to the crimes that actually do time. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/6 "2011-10-26T14:08:02Z")
I have a crazy 80 year-old neighbor who rides around in his scooter chair. He chased me and my dog a few houses down the street one day, waving a machete over his head, yelling that he was going to get me and my dog. The cops said he didn’t commit a crime because I was laughing about it. Hell, I’m glad he didn’t have a faster chair. Sometimes the system is very nearsighted. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/7 "2011-10-26T14:21:38Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > That truly sucks, losing your stuff and the thief walks. > Have you a link to a news story about it, Cad? > **[Police suspect two men responsible for burglaries](https://www.timescall.com/2011/06/09/police-suspect-two-men-responsible-for-burglaries/)** > > LONGMONT — Police suspect that two men arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary and theft could be responsible for more than 20 burglaries in Longmont, Boulder and Boulder County, according … One of the robberies was about $20,000. I looked up his court documents and his only punishment was “restitution”. We’ll see if he can pay for the $1000 or so of stuff he pawned. Why do I have a feeling that it’ll be, “He’s broke so he can’t pay.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/8 "2011-10-26T14:25:01Z")
You must be missing something there. Unless he’s a minor, or was only convicted on one charge, he’ll be on probation at the very least. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/9 "2011-10-26T14:35:03Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You must be missing something there. Unless he’s a minor, or was only convicted on one charge, he’ll be on probation at the very least. Ummm . . . no probation listed on the court records although the sheriff’s office did tell us to call them if we caught him staking out our house. Needless to say, the local LEOs are none-to-pleased that he was let go after the close to 20 buglaries he committed. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/10 "2011-10-26T14:56:42Z")
There’s never been a better justification of castle doctrine than this OP. When I was still working in federal law enforcement, I couldn’t believe the amount of dismissals these people were given. How can one guy get arrested 20 times for assault/robbery and not be sitting in jail or deported?! It’s astounding what you can get away with in this country. I say if he comes near your house again, shoot the bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/11 "2011-10-26T15:05:02Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > There’s never been a better justification of castle doctrine than this OP. If that’s the best justification, then the argument for the castle doctrine is pretty shitty. The sensible thing to take away from this is that Colorado’s sentencing system doesn’t make sense, not that you should shoot people. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/12 "2011-10-26T15:10:05Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I say if he comes near your house again, shoot the bastard. I’m pretty sure that if I shot even a convicted felon near my house, my case wouldn’t be dismissed. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/13 "2011-10-26T15:26:46Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If that’s the best justification, then the argument for the castle doctrine is pretty shitty. The sensible thing to take away from this is that Colorado’s sentencing system doesn’t make sense, not that you should shoot people. But what if you _liiiiike_ shooting people? ETA: anyway, I think the castle doctrine means you can only pour boiling oil on them, or throw them to the crocodiles in the moat. Unless you left the drawbridge down. Then they walk. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/14 "2011-10-26T15:26:47Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I’m pretty sure that if I shot even a convicted felon near my house, my case wouldn’t be dismissed. 🙂 Offer to take him to McDonalds to make amends. Then, when nobody is looking, shove him over the counter. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/15 "2011-10-26T15:30:01Z")
you’re really enjoying the McDonalds thing ain’t you **Billy**. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/16 "2011-10-26T15:34:03Z")
[QUOTE=Saint Cad] I looked up his court documents and his only punishment was “restitution”. We’ll see if he can pay for the $1000 or so of stuff he pawned. Why do I have a feeling that it’ll be, “He’s broke so he can’t pay.” [/QUOTE] Make certain you file whatever legal documents are neccessary to reclaim it. Even if he can’t pay, the debt should still show up. If he ever get money later in life somehow, he’ll have to pay you back. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/17 "2011-10-26T15:46:45Z")
Simple people like me are easily amused. We even manage to amuse ourselves with our pitiful humor 🙂 I can relate to OP. We went to small claims court about 25 years ago. And it wasn’t just a business disagreement. This guy was running a scam. We line up a couple of his other victims and they agree to show up to court as witnesses. All they had to gain was seeing some justice. Guy doesnt even show, Judge finds in our favor. Then later we get a notice a few days later. Judge is doing a “do over”. WTF? Note that the guy had some lame assed excuse like he forgot or something. So, our witnesses take ANOTHER day off to testify. Not only does the judge find in our favor, he actually says he believes the guy was running a scam and the activity was criminal, not just a legal/business dispute. Great, we win! Except the worthless judge explicity notes he is NOT going to order any sort of payment plan. Nutin. It would be about 1000 dollars in todays money. Even if that fracker had been forced to pay a measely 40 dollars a year (homeless bums can scrap up that kind of money) at least now we would have some satisfaction and some money. But, nothing, nada, zip. Just more wasted time and bitter feelings. If I find I have a terminal disease I am toilet papering the living shit out that judges home. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/18 "2011-10-26T15:57:11Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Great, we win! Except the worthless judge explicity notes he is NOT going to order any sort of payment plan. Years ago I knew someone who was involved in a class action suit. She and a bunch of other people in the neighborhood were suing a landlord. The jury found for the plaintiffs. The amount in damages awarded? $0. That’s zero, with a Z. But the plaintiffs each ended up owing thousands in legal fees. It took my friend years to pay that off. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/19 "2011-10-26T15:58:16Z")
Guy must have rolled over on Whitey Bulger. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848/20 "2011-10-26T16:09:13Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > [Police suspect two men responsible for burglaries – Longmont Times-Call](http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_18241759?IADID) > > One of the robberies was about $20,000. I looked up his court documents and his only punishment was “restitution”. We’ll see if he can pay for the $1000 or so of stuff he pawned. Why do I have a feeling that it’ll be, “He’s broke so he can’t pay.” …and he will let you know about that from his cell phone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burgler-goes-free-because-hes-sorry/600848.md?page=2)