# How many people have gotten away with a criminal act in their life time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866 "2017-12-19T17:10:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/21 "2017-12-19T21:45:38Z")
Well, when I was in Jr. High School I used to go into the woods with a friend and test out the explosive devices we had made. Maybe then, all we would have gotten as a lecture from our parents. Now, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/22 "2017-12-19T21:49:54Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Once upon a time a border agent told me that he or she that admits to a small thing is usually trying to cover up a big thing. You’re right - I fibbed - it was one of the BIG Baby Ruth bars - cost a whole quarter!!! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Majestic\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Majestic\_Lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Majestic_Lee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/23 "2017-12-19T23:08:01Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > In my state, oral sex was a felony when I had a girlfriend who was up for oral sex. > > In conclusion, I am a felon. Which state was this? Nazi Germany? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/24 "2017-12-19T23:31:26Z")
> [@Majestic\_Lee](#): > > Which state was this? Nazi Germany? [Virginia](https://www.google.com/amp/s/thinkprogress.org/virginia-legislature-unanimously-repeals-unconstitutional-oral-sex-ban-22371f63cd1a/amp/). ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/25 "2017-12-20T00:12:40Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Traffic offenses are not criminal offenses. > > As far as percentages, I would bet that the majority of us would be eligible for a criminal record if every little thing had been noticed and prosecuted. DUI certainly is. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/26 "2017-12-20T12:04:39Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > [Virginia](https://www.google.com/amp/s/thinkprogress.org/virginia-legislature-unanimously-repeals-unconstitutional-oral-sex-ban-22371f63cd1a/amp/). So “Virginia Is For Lovers” wasn’t really true?☹ ---
**Author:** ![HaroldDix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HaroldDix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HaroldDix)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/27 "2017-12-22T06:07:13Z")
1. Illegal Drugs. Posses, Manufacturer, Sell. Yes 2. Illegal Weapons/ Explosive Devices, Yes 3. Assault, yes 4. Driving while intoxicated, Yes That’s about it and still considered an upstanding citizen who has friends in the Law Enforcement Community who not only knew but participated in all of said infraction s ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/28 "2017-12-22T14:30:38Z")
In Maine, driving more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit is a criminal offense. I have done that at least once, but not in the last 15 years. Maine no longer distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies. Criminal speeding is called a “class E offense” with a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail plus a $1,000 fine. Keeping found feathers of certain species of birds is generally illegal under the federal [Migratory Bird Treaty Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918), with some exceptions that don’t seem to apply to me. I have done that with feathers of the blue jay, one of the covered species. If I’m reading the statute right, the theoretical maximum sentence is six months’ incarceration plus a $15,000 fine. I think probably federal prosecutors have better things to do than to put me on trial for possessing one blue jay feather. Nevertheless, I threw the feather away many years ago when I realized it was illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/29 "2017-12-22T14:31:36Z")
_Massive_ amounts of piracy. Software, music, movies, TV shows, books, comics, manga. Not only downloading, I’ve also scanned, OCRed, and uploaded books before. Also, I once punched a baby. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/30 "2017-12-22T14:36:54Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > In Maine, driving more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit is a criminal offense. I have done that at least once, but not in the last 15 years. Maine no longer distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies. Criminal speeding is called a “class E offense” with a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail plus a $1,000 fine. > > Keeping found feathers of certain species of birds is generally illegal under the federal [Migratory Bird Treaty Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918), with some exceptions that don’t seem to apply to me. I have done that with feathers of the blue jay, one of the covered species. If I’m reading the statute right, the theoretical maximum sentence is six months’ incarceration plus a $15,000 fine. I think probably federal prosecutors have better things to do than to put me on trial for possessing one blue jay feather. Nevertheless, I threw the feather away many years ago when I realized it was illegal. I used to pull over when I saw large birds killed on the highway and remove the primary wing feathers for my arrows. I was shooting with a guy one day who I was randomly paired up with at a 3-D archery shoot. He recognized my feathers as being from a crane. I told him how I got them and he gave me a friendly warning to get rid of them all. He was fish and game. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/31 "2017-12-22T15:08:29Z")
**aside** I tried 2D archery once, but fell flat. Beyond some pretty extreme speeding I can’t think of any “major” crimes I have committed, much less gotten away with, at least in the last 35 years or so. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/32 "2017-12-22T15:38:00Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’m sure many people on here, including myself, have driven over the legal limit. > [@Procrustus](#): > > Hmmm. What did the OP say about that? > [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > We have all exceeded the speed limit or ran a stop sign at one time, but what about real crime … the kind can get you in jail to serve time? The thread title didn’t specify. It also didn’t specify that we couldn’t just answer the thread title. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/33 "2017-12-22T15:50:31Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > Keeping found feathers of certain species of birds is generally illegal under the federal [Migratory Bird Treaty Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918), with some exceptions that don’t seem to apply to me. I have done that with feathers of the blue jay, one of the covered species. If I’m reading the statute right, the theoretical maximum sentence is six months’ incarceration plus a $15,000 fine. I think probably federal prosecutors have better things to do than to put me on trial for possessing one blue jay feather. Nevertheless, I threw the feather away many years ago when I realized it was illegal. Oh boy, I’ll have to add that to my list. We pick up Bald Eagle feathers on the beach and keep them. Probably illegal. I’m not getting rid of them though. I like to live on the edge. ---
**Author:** ![MadNotAngry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@MadNotAngry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadNotAngry)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/34 "2017-12-23T00:24:53Z")
Let’s see: Possessed, smoked, drove while under the influence of, sold and grew cannabis for decades. At a party a silly girl was explaining why she always had money. She described where her grandmother kept a hoard of cash hidden, then added grandma was not at home that night. Listened carefully, knew where she and grandma lived, and ghosted the party - fastest $7,700. I shall ever make. Once a pal was showing off jewelry he stole from his ex. I re-stole a 1/4 ct. diamond ring, right under his nose. Snatched my neighbors truck to smash the storefront of a rival. Held a teenager down so my teenager could stomp him. Dine and dashed, and drove off without paying at gas stations, literally a hundred times. Shoplifted more Christmas presents than I ever bought. Judging by the responses of my fellow criminals in here, I suppose I should now sound contrite and remorseful for the larceny that once burned so brilliantly in my bosom - yet I do not. This is all ancient history. I neither deny my life nor wish to live life full of regrets. Lot of this happened when I was a drunkard. I am here to tell you _I don’t drink anymore._ Thing is: _I don’t drink any less_ either! ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/35 "2017-12-23T00:53:25Z")
Yep. That’s all I can say about it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/36 "2017-12-23T01:09:47Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > In Maine, driving more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit is a criminal offense. I have done that at least once, but not in the last 15 years. Maine no longer distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies. Criminal speeding is called a “class E offense” with a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail plus a $1,000 fine. I was the proud possesor of a 1965 Shelby GT 350 (yes they only made 530 65 Shelby Mustangs) I purchased it used with only 2,000 miles for $2,600 in Portland, Maine. A small trip to Boston for fun and on the way back I let it roar to 6,600 rpm in 4th gear hitting the needle to over 120mph on the Maine turnpike from NH to Portland. A week later I got a ticket in the mail saying that there was no way I could get from the first toll booth to the last one in that small amount of time and that I now owed the State of Maine XXX amount of dollars. I didn’t pay and left the state later that same year. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/37 "2017-12-23T01:45:43Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve purchased, sold, consumed all sorts of mind altering substances that were illegal. Never arrested, and my conscious is clear. Wow! Those were/are some _ **serious** _ drugs! Most people have a conscious filled with something or other… Oh! You meant to type conscience? :rolleyes: –G! ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2017, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866/38 "2017-12-23T03:35:31Z")
I stole a $200 TV from a friend after he owed me $150 for an iPod he told me to order for him and said he’d pay me back for (which he never did for two years). And by “steal” I mean he told me to sell it on eBay and I just never sold it and used it and he never followed up on it except for the occasional “You sell that TV?” to which I replied “No sorry nobody bid on it”. I still use it as a secondary computer monitor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-gotten-away-with-a-criminal-act-in-their-life-time/804866.md?page=1)