Some friends and I have a hobby of planning robberies (without any intention of carrying them out, I hasten to add), like a tactical game to pass the time.
Is this legal? Surely there's nothing wrong as long as you don't actually pull it off?
2006-10-05 03:55:31 · 16 answers · asked by DaveyMcB 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Nothing wrong with planning it, just in doing it. Let's be honest most people have thought or joked about douing something like that.
2006-10-05 04:01:52 · answer #1 · answered by Just Askin' 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is such an offence as 'Conspiracy to commit robbery', which is technically what you are doing.
If the Police ever did find out, it would depend upon the level of planning and preparation you had done on if you were prosecuted or not.
If you have a big pile of blue prints, guns and tickets to the Bahamas, get ready to go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect £200.
But Im assuming you dont go that far, but they might still give you a slap on the wrists for playing such a silly game.
2006-10-05 11:04:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conspiracy, as I understand it, is the taking of steps towards the commission of a criminal offence. Thinking about these things is simply an intellectual exercise. But if you were to take actual steps with a view to carrying out any robbery (such as inspecting a building which you were targeting, spying on the comings and goings of security staff, equipping yourselves with toy guns, etc., etc.) then the position would be very different. How can you be certain, for example, that one of your friends mightn't be tempted as a result of your brilliant planning to carry out the dastardly deed? If he did, and your earlier involvement came to light, then you might have some very serious explaining to do! But to answer your question, no, as long as it remains fantasy, then it doesn't constitute a criminal offence. The old Latin saying remains true as far as the criminal law of conspiracy is concerned: "actus non reus est nisi mens sit rea" ("the action is not criminal unless there is a criminal intention in the mind.")
2006-10-05 11:15:01 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an excellent exercise in strategy and tactics as well as in information gathering. I do similar things myself to keep my mind sharp. Of course I also plan other things as well, both small scale and large scale attacks on various locations (city, county state and federal installations, local military targets, businessess etc). There are people that acutally get paid large sums of money to do just that in order to prevent such things from occuring. That is why some computer comopanies employ former hackers to keep their systems safe.
As to the legality, that would depend on where you are, laws differ from city to city on such matters, but as long as you don't start accumulating the items necessary to carry it out it shouldn't be a problem.
2006-10-05 11:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by kveldulfgondlir 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And how would the police distinguish between the 'just passing time' folks and the serious ones ?
Kinda like 'joking' about bombs at the airline terminal.
Society no longer has time to coddle airheads.
If you are so smart, why not come up with tactics to solve corporate corruption or the global slave trade or something not so pea brain ?
2006-10-05 11:02:36 · answer #5 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have been watching too many movies!
Yes it could get you into big trouble under the conspiracy statutes.
It would have to be fictitious banks, in fictitious towns, with impossible locations.
Who knows whether or not you will ever fall out with one of your friends and he decides to shop you all?
2006-10-05 11:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by Christine H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with planning them as long as you don't actually do it.A little tip, destroy all evidence of your little game just in case your local bank gets done over and the police come knocking
2006-10-05 10:59:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't believe there is anything wrong with talking about it. The question arises over the INTENT. And if you are with friends, who is going to know about it anyway! Just choose your friends carefully!
2006-10-05 11:09:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be useful if you could pass the information on the the bank to help them close any loopholes in their security.
2006-10-05 10:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by jezterfezter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just never ever put anything in writing. You could probably be busted for conspiracy to commit robery which is a felony. Be very carefull.
2006-10-05 10:58:07 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. Knowitall 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋