# (RO) 8 years in prison for prank call **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 8, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190 "2008-06-08T01:42:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/61 "2008-06-08T21:18:18Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey] Why not? His premise that this is somehow not a serious crime is that Tyler was “only 17 and not an adult.” And it’s the rare state that seems to not allow sex between 17 year olds and “adults.” [/QUOTE] Most of those states with “age of consent” under 18 are only if the other person is not more than 3 or 4 years older. They’re designed to protect against the ‘boyfriend turns 18 two weeks before the girlfriend’-type scenarios. Comparitively few states allow a 16 or 17 year old to bang, say, a 35 year old. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/62 "2008-06-08T21:34:41Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey] His premise that this is somehow not a serious crime is that Tyler was “only 17 and not an adult.” [/QUOTE] It’s not all that much of a serious crime, true. Eight years would be a bit much even for an adult for a crime that consists of nothing but speaking. That aside, even if I accept that it is a serious crime, why should I accept that a legal child should be punished in the same manner as an adult? ---
**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:** [June 8, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/63 "2008-06-08T22:30:20Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] The crime actually did occur, the crime of making a terroristic threat. [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > Sec. 22.07. TERRORISTIC THREAT. (a) A person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to: > (1) cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies; > (2) place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or > (3) prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building; room; place of assembly; place to which the public has access; place of employment or occupation; aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance; or other public place; or > (4) cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service. > (b) An offense under Subdivision (1) or (2) of Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor. An offense under Subdivision (3) of Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subdivision (4) of Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree. Here’s the relevant statute, in case anyone was wondering. I don’t see what the point of (2) is - seems like that would be covered by simple assault. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/64 "2008-06-08T22:55:51Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] This sentence is not excessive. The punishments that murderers and rapist get are to light. They should be executed. Light sentences are fucked up. At least this one was pretty good. We should not give this criminal a lighter sentence to match it to sentences that are too light. [/QUOTE] criminal? he made a prank call. By that logic anyone with a speeding ticket is a criminal. He was just some dumb kid who did something stupid. Does every stupid thing kids do deserve a life destroying jail sentence? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/65 "2008-06-08T23:02:08Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Bullshit. North Korea has us beat. [/QUOTE] Doing better then North Korea is something to brag about? Let me get this straight. You’re claiming doing better then North Korea means we’re doing okay for running a society? :dubious: Let’s be honest. You must be trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/66 "2008-06-08T23:08:00Z")
[QUOTE=The Tao’s Revenge] Doing better then North Korea is something to brag about? Let me get this straight. You’re claiming doing better then North Korea means we’re doing okay for running a society? :dubious: Let’s be honest. You must be trolling. [/QUOTE] It does not have anything to do with be better than North Korea. Just that North Korea in all likelihood has more prisoners. They probably beat us with just their political prisoners. But all of that is irrelevant to which is a better society. From my perspective (and there is no objective standard on this point), a society having a high number of prisoners is almost completely irrelevant to whether it is a good society. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/67 "2008-06-08T23:12:28Z")
[QUOTE=The Tao’s Revenge] criminal? he made a prank call. By that logic anyone with a speeding ticket is a criminal. He was just some dumb kid who did something stupid. Does every stupid thing kids do deserve a life destroying jail sentence? [/QUOTE] Making a terrorist threat = a felony Speeding = an infraction (usually, depending on the jurisdiction, speed) ---
**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:** [June 8, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/68 "2008-06-08T23:13:20Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] But all of that is irrelevant to which is a better society. From my perspective (and there is no objective standard on this point), a society having a high number of prisoners is almost completely irrelevant to whether it is a good society. [/QUOTE] I get it now… you’re _not_ a troll. You’re just completely fucking nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/69 "2008-06-08T23:15:42Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] I get it now… you’re _not_ a troll. You’re just completely fucking nuts. [/QUOTE] Do you believe that people that commit serious crimes (like terrorism) should not be put in prison? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/70 "2008-06-08T23:23:45Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Making a terrorist threat = a felony Speeding = an infraction (usually, depending on the jurisdiction, speed) [/QUOTE] Both could result in loss of life. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/71 "2008-06-08T23:27:17Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Do you believe that people that commit serious crimes (like terrorism) should not be put in prison? [/QUOTE] hahaha you’re performance art. A prank call is not terrorism. Atleast it isn’t if you want the word to have any meaning. ---
**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:** [June 8, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/72 "2008-06-08T23:33:27Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] Do you believe that people that commit serious crimes (like terrorism) should not be put in prison? [/QUOTE] Well, this kid _didn’t_ commit terrorism - even if he intended to carry out the threat, there’s no evidence suggesting that he had some sort of political goal. In any case, of course I believe people who commit crimes ought to go to prison. Any sensible society, however, aims to prevent crimes, in addition to simply reacting to them. The fact we have more prisoners per capita than any other nation (except, perhaps, one) suggests that we aren’t doing a very good job. By your logic we’d be doing just fine if everyone was locked up (except, presumably, you). If you take into account the fact that our standard of living is higher than that of almost any other state, it looks like we’re doing even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/73 "2008-06-08T23:47:21Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Well, this kid _didn’t_ commit terrorism - even if he intended to carry out the threat, there’s no evidence suggesting that he had some sort of political goal. [/quote] There is no universal legal definition of terrorism. The people of the sovereign state of Texas have decided that this type of threat is a terroristic threat. > [@](#): > > In any case, of course I believe people who commit crimes ought to go to prison. Any sensible society, however, aims to prevent crimes, in addition to simply reacting to them. The fact we have more prisoners per capita than any other nation (except, perhaps, one) suggests that we aren’t doing a very good job. Locking people up has been shown to prevent crime. Perhaps we could do more to prevent crime, but the scum that commit horrible crimes need to be locked up or executed. We do have a cultural problem in this country with crime and violence, but it is not a problem that will be solved by the government. A big set in the right direction would be if all worthless pieces of shit men who do not take an active role in their children’s lives would start acting like men instead of worthless pieces of shit. > [@](#): > > By your logic we’d be doing just fine if everyone was locked up (except, presumably, you). That is a complete distortion of my position. Most people has not been convicted of crime. I do not believe we would be doing fine if we locked up people who have not been convicted on a crime. > [@](#): > > If you take into account the fact that our standard of living is higher than that of almost any other state, it looks like we’re doing even worse. The problem is not the criminal justice system; it is a cultural problem. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/74 "2008-06-08T23:55:32Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] There is no universal legal definition of terrorism. The people of the sovereign state of Texas have decided that this type of threat is a terroristic threat. [/QUOTE] Weren’t you the guy who wanted to take an electronics project on a plane? That’d sure freak a heck of alot of people out. It could be a bomb! They’d be terrified, you’d terrorize them. Making you a terrorist. You’ll be turning yourself in for 8 years of jail won’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/75 "2008-06-09T00:02:50Z")
[QUOTE=The Tao’s Revenge] Weren’t you the guy who wanted to take an electronics project on a plane? That’d sure freak a heck of alot of people out. It could be a bomb! They’d be terrified, you’d terrorize them. Making you a terrorist. You’ll be turning yourself in for 8 years of jail won’t you? [/QUOTE] When was this? I do not remember wanting to do anything like, but maybe I just cannot remember. Can you please cite the relevant statute that would make taking an “electronics project” on plane an act of terrorism? What level of intent does it require? ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/76 "2008-06-09T00:19:26Z")
[QUOTE=The Tao’s Revenge] Weren’t you the guy who wanted to take an electronics project on a plane? [/QUOTE] That was **VCO3** / **TLDR**. He got banned a couple months ago. I can see how you would confuse the two, though. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/77 "2008-06-09T00:20:15Z")
I can’t search. It was last year I think when I started lurking. Some key words that might find it if someone wants to do a search: electronics project lady knitting ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/78 "2008-06-09T00:21:31Z")
[QUOTE=neutron star] That was **VCO3** / **TLDR**. He got banned a couple months ago. I can see how you would confuse the two, though. [/QUOTE] oh! :smack: Apologies **Two and a Half Inches of Fun** ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/79 "2008-06-09T12:19:01Z")
[QUOTE=neutron star] Cite?Cite? I mean, other than the fact that if they’re locked away, they physically can’t commit crimes. [/QUOTE] Are you joking? Of course people in prison can commit crimes. The people against whom their crimes are committed tend to be fellow prisoners, but they are crimes nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190/80 "2008-06-09T13:07:35Z")
I was thinking more along the lines of crimes that are counted in crime statistics. _Are_ prison crimes counted in those? I honestly don’t know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-8-years-in-prison-for-prank-call/452190.md?page=5)