Yes or no answer please
2006-06-27 14:04:59 · 60 answers · asked by valeojaneth 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
If you think that this question is so stupid THEN WHY ARE YOU ANSWERING IT.
2006-06-27 14:10:28 · update #1
I wanted to say DUHHHH? but then I thought what if your a kid, then I would feel bad. Yes, you can't break laws.
2006-06-27 14:20:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Not exactly.
There are moral (moral turpitude) crimes and regulatory crimes.
Moral crimes are those who we as a society have determined breaks a moral rule amongst us. Regulatory crimes do not carry any showing of a moral violation.
For example, the law against an unlawful killing (murder) is a moral crime. As it can be said to be morally wrong to take another's life. When one can be convicted of murder, one would be considered a criminal.
As an example of a regulatory crime: speeding. It cannot be said that speeding is "morally" wrong. Yet, one certainly can be convicted not only of violating civil law when one speeds, but also criminal law, if the person has sped more than 15 miles per hour above the speed limit. In that sense, once can be criminally convicted of speeding. As that is also a law, given the simplistic definition of "anyone who violates a law is a criminal" then the speeder is a criminal, just as the murderer is.
But, of course, we wouldn't easily call a "speeder" a criminal because we understand that the severity of the offense is minor.
Just the same, calling all people who are in the U.S. without the appropriate documents: Illegals! Criminals! is overkill. These individuals have not committed any moral crime, but a regulatory offense. In essence, the only crime that has been committed is a technical "trespassing." Certainly NOT the same as whom we normally consider and tag with the label: CRIMINAL.
So, no.
2006-06-27 14:51:04 · answer #2 · answered by Randa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question. short answer is yes it does, maybe you just didn't get caught... you broke the 'law' simply by defying the conditons of that law, which were written into law, by whaddaya know, lawyers! who hasn't done 32mph in a 30 for example? most people - unlike the righteous answer above - do indeed break at least one 'law' everyday.... so technically yes. if you did something really bad & never got caught you still did it & still committed the crime all the same, you don't escape being a criminal, maybe just justice, & in some cases - like driving over the speed limit - we mostly get away with it day in day out. no law was ever written which stated, well in some cases it's ok... severity of a crime & enforcement is however another matter altogether. hope this helps.
2006-06-27 14:44:37 · answer #3 · answered by jamie s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a legal sense, no - it's being convicted that makes you a criminal. Technically speaking, a criminal is somebody who is guilty of a crime, and when we're talking about law, it's the court which determines guilt.
In an ethical sense, though, it's the commission of the crime that matters, not the fact that you were caught. So if you aren't a lawyer, the answer is yes.
2006-06-27 14:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by nkasoff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you break a law you are a criminal and no i dont think this is a stupid question
2006-07-08 20:01:36 · answer #5 · answered by mex_girl2499 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK not all offences are Criminal offences. It depends on which Law you are breaking, so, at least here no, you can break certain laws and not be a Criminal.
sorry, just realized I ended up on the USA immigration page, what's all this with Mexicans anyway lol give them a break they aren't criminals if they behave like normal people.
2006-07-08 17:15:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all laws are reasonable or logical. I am not promoting a lawless society by any means. But if these people's only crime is to come here for a better life, then live and let live.
A quote from Albert Einstein,
"nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced"
This 'law' if thats what you want to call it, cannot be enforced.
2006-06-27 14:13:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
But you see this question sounds rhetorical to me. If you are posing this question to minimize the issue of illegal immigration of Mexicans to the US, it doesn't work.
A criminal is generally referred to as a person who has established a long-standing habit or life-style of illegal
behavior ... or makes a living from such activity.
In the case of illegal aliens, they are active criminals, because they are at all time illegally occupying a nation against the law of that nation.
Furthermore, they are actively engaged in deceitful behavior to cover the fact of their illegitimate "citizenship".
And for the person saying this lifestyle should be sanctioned because someone does so to take care of his family, then we might as well do away with borders altogether and overpopulate the country, plus risk almost certain immediate internal terrorist attacks and activities. I'll take reality over sentimentality thank you.
2006-07-11 08:19:02 · answer #8 · answered by Rewsna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you are breaking or have broken the law you are a criminal
2006-07-11 14:13:29 · answer #9 · answered by freeversecrafter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question, depends on your definition of a criminal and depends on what they did and how long ago they did it....some define criminals as repeat offenders, or ppl convicted of a crime, or just anyone who commits a crime... so it depends on your definition.... I think if you like breaking the law, or you do it habitually... then yes.... if you made a mistake, and you paid for your crime and changed your life..... you may have once been a criminal you i don't think you are any longer!
2006-07-07 03:32:23 · answer #10 · answered by crazydeb16 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, breaking the law does make you a criminal.
2006-07-11 07:27:31 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋