# Poll: For what crime(s) would you turn in a loved one? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510 "2012-01-24T16:59:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/41 "2012-01-30T23:34:07Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > It’s so depressingly predictable that more would report “child rape” than “serial murders”. Maybe my loved one is like Dexter, only killing killers and thus benefiting society. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/42 "2012-01-31T00:57:44Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Maybe my loved one is like Dexter, only killing killers and thus benefiting society. And maybe he only rapes annoying kids. Like the ones from Jurassic Park. It is interesting looking at the results though. I’m somewhat surprised by some of the results, there are some things I wouldn’t expect so many people to let go. Maybe some of you just love your loved ones more. I don’t think I’d care much for someone who liked to beat up their family though. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/43 "2012-01-31T01:43:00Z")
Nah, I wouldn’t rape those kids, but I’d toss them at the raptors to distract them if I had to. And I’m sure I would have to. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/44 "2012-01-31T01:46:47Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Nah, I wouldn’t rape those kids One must have standards. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/45 "2012-01-31T01:50:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Nah, I wouldn’t rape those kids, but I’d toss them at the raptors to distract them if I had to. > > And I’m sure I would have to. “I don’t have to outrace the raptors. I just have to outrace those annoying kids!” ---
**Author:** ![BowlOfDucks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@BowlOfDucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BowlOfDucks)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/46 "2012-01-31T02:06:24Z")
Only around 50% wouldn’t turn in someone for arson?! Blackmail and extortion around 60% wouldn’t turn somebody in?!?! 25% of people, wouldn’t turn someone in for date rape?! Honestly, I find the results of this poll disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/47 "2012-01-31T02:10:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > “I don’t have to outrace the raptors. I just have to outrace those annoying kids!” And it really helps if you tie their shoelaces together. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/48 "2012-01-31T02:24:44Z")
I choose **Everything** except running red lights, parking violation and minor tax evasion. I would chew the relative’s ass out for deliberately running a red light. That’s just stupid driving. Same thing with not stopping for a school bus. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/49 "2012-01-31T04:51:57Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > How sure are you about the crime in the first place? Did you walk in on while your loved one was raping a woman / molesting a child/ beating their spouse/ murdering (not only killing) somebody in cold blood/ etc.? And walking in on a situation can lead to misunderstanding because “it’s not what it looks like”. Videos can be edited to create false impressions. > > In real life, things aren’t clear cut like on TV. > > Or did you read something in the paper and think “that sounds like my loved one”? > > Because I have a hard time imaging a loved one doing anything serious like that in full intention. Well, the OP did say: > [@](#): > > If a loved one of yours kept committing crimes and just wouldn’t stop, despite your most earnest attempts to persuade him or her, for what offense(s) would you finally go to the cops? Therefore I assumed that this poll was basically asking for what crimes would you turn in a loved one _when you’re pretty damned sure they did it_. I also have a hard time imaging any of my loved ones intentionally committing heinous crimes - but the thing is, many criminals have loved ones who also want to believe the best of them, and may deny their guilt even when it’s pretty obvious. And sociopaths can be very charming and manipulative, and hide in plain sight. And for those who wouldn’t turn in their loved one for committing any crime - what would you do if they were arrested/convicted (without you turning them in)? If you wouldn’t turn them in, then does it follow that you would stand by them unconditionally even if convicted? If you never believed it was possible for them to be a criminal before they were caught, what amount of evidence would change your mind? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/50 "2012-01-31T05:10:07Z")
> [@Waenara](#): > > Well, the OP did say:Therefore I assumed that this poll was basically asking for what crimes would you turn in a loved one _when you’re pretty damned sure they did it_. > > I also have a hard time imaging any of my loved ones intentionally committing heinous crimes - but the thing is, many criminals have loved ones who also want to believe the best of them, and may deny their guilt even when it’s pretty obvious. And sociopaths can be very charming and manipulative, and hide in plain sight. > And for those who wouldn’t turn in their loved one for committing any crime - what would you do if they were arrested/convicted (without you turning them in)? If you wouldn’t turn them in, then does it follow that you would stand by them unconditionally even if convicted? If you never believed it was possible for them to be a criminal before they were caught, what amount of evidence would change your mind? But the OP also gave the Unabomber and his family as an example. His family had no real evidence, just a sense that published manifesto sounded kinda like him. For me, I don’t think that’s enough evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/51 "2012-01-31T16:03:49Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > But the OP also gave the Unabomber and his family as an example. His family had no real evidence, just a sense that published manifesto sounded kinda like him. For me, I don’t think that’s enough evidence. Fortunately his brother thought differently. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/52 "2012-01-31T16:33:21Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > And it really helps if you tie their shoelaces together. I’m going to turn you in for that. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/53 "2012-01-31T17:11:21Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I’m going to turn you in for that. You’ll never take me alive, coppers! :: blam! blam! :: ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/54 "2012-02-02T05:56:36Z")
I find it amusing that many liberals can be among the most tribalistic people on Earth. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/55 "2012-02-02T09:08:41Z")
Anything involving force or fraud . . . or doing _ **anything** _ to a child or animal (yeah, you didn’t mention animal abuse). On the other hand . . . I can’t believe anyone would turn in a loved one for a parking violation or minor tax evasion. Good thing I’m not your loved one. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/56 "2012-02-02T11:03:42Z")
You’re damn lucky. ---
**Author:** ![DanielBrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DanielBrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanielBrown)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/57 "2012-02-02T12:24:55Z")
It never happened with me yet, so I don’t guess how I will react at certain points. But I will definitely report the major issues like rape, kidnapping, domestic violence, and serial murder. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/58 "2012-02-02T13:23:58Z")
I’d report Arson, Murder, Rape, Major Theft, Major Fraud, Blackmail, Major Assault and Embezzlement. Everything else I wouldn’t bother with as they are likely enough to get caught on their own. I’d sooner try to talk them out of their nefarious lifestyle. Treason and Espionage are simply too broad for me to blankly sign onto. There are certain areas where I would report them in a second, and others where i might actually aid them. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/59 "2012-02-02T13:46:59Z")
I wonder how many respondents are aware that the OP is a judge 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510/60 "2012-02-02T17:43:32Z")
I can’t really see any exceptions to not turn in crimes such as murder, child molesting, serious assault. Other people have said they would make exceptions for people who killed someone who was molesting their child, for example, but I’m not a big fan of vigilante violence. Go watch Misty River so see why. Treason, I donno. None of my relatives are in a position to harm the US. Now if we were in a shooting war with another country, and the action of treason were to have a strong potential of harming other Americans, then probably. If it’s now, I may not. DUI, not if it only were to have happened once, but if they keep at it, and they don’t stop no matter what I say, then yes, because of the potential danger to others. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-what-crime-s-would-you-turn-in-a-loved-one/610510.md?page=4)