So, being the smart guy he is, he stole a person's mail three times. Problem is, they videotaped him doing it the third time. Now he(who is under the age of 16) is panicking because those people might press charges. They called his parents(suspecting him) and his parents were not convinced; the tape was fairly bad quality. His parents eventually believed that he did it when they found the mail in his room. His parents already know that he did FOR SURE, but the neighbors that taped him do not. He obviously doesnt want the neighbors to know AND he doesnt want the police to know.
The evidence that the police has: the tape with a blurry image. What he has: an alibi and an attendance record that says he was supposedly at school.
The point is, What is the best thing for him to do?
2007-03-06 09:35:45 · 16 answers · asked by sandman 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Okay just for what its worth, the neighbors actually wronged him first(they stole a nintendo ds), but he has no real proof. I want to know how he could get out of this without anything on his record.
2007-03-06 09:43:30 · update #1
Also, he cant exactly return the mail(he destroyed it, but it wasnt really important stuff anyways)
2007-03-06 09:44:48 · update #2
He needs to get a lawyer.
Stealing mail out of one's mailbox is a felony. It is a very serious crime. Whether or not they stole something from him, it does not justify his actions in the court's eyes.
Tell him not to answer ANY questions from the post office, the police, or the neighbors. At this point, his parents may try to send him to apologize. This is not a good idea since it can be considered a confession. He truly needs to get a lawyer to represent him and should only speak to the lawyer.
2007-03-06 09:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have news for you that is a federal crime, I know as I worked at a Federal Prison and watched numerous people getting locked up for the very same thing. Bad....Bad...Horrible thing to do to any one, two wrongs don't make a right!!
It isn't yours or your friends place to say that the mail was junk any way, the issue here is that it was their mail that he stole. That is mail thief and yes it is a punishable crime for which he should punished for.
I think if you have any kind of brains in your head you will stay away from him, he is TROUBLE! He will end up going to prison one day as he doesn't seem to have a brain cell in his head.
How would you like it if you were waiting for your mail to come and some one stole your mail, you would feel so violated and angry to know some one took what belonged to you.
He didn't do this just once, no he did it three times that isn't a joke. Personally I call the cops and turn his backside in, he needs to be punished for what he has done. He is practicing to become a thug and a problem to society.
If you are really his friend you will turn him in. If he doesn't get the seriousness of what he has done he will only go on to do worse things. He obviously is still a juvinile, he needs to learn now before he ends up getting into worse situations in the future where he goes to prison for years. The only way he will get a clue is if he pays for what he has done and gets the help he needs.
If he thinks he got away with this he will only do worse and become worse as his life goes on.
If your really his friend then help him to be able to stop, turn him in. It isn't an easy thing to do, but wouldn't you want him to improve his life and change? Or do you want your friend to get away with it and think cool, I'll can do what ever and no one will know and go out and do even worse. Some day he could find him self looking down the barrel of a police officers gun. Do you really want that for your friend???
Think, and do what is right. Because you know of the crime he has made you guilty as well, because you know a crime was committed. You your self could be facing charges if you are found out, do you want that?? You are just as guilty as he is because you know he commited a crime.
Way stupid thing not to do some thing about it. If he shoots off his mouth and it only takes once you could go down with him. You will be arrested along with him. But if you turn him in, most likely they will go easier on you and you may not be facing charges. I think you already know what you need to do, other wise you wouldn't even be talking about this. Don't be dumb, just turn him in, don't even tell him you are going to do it.
2007-03-06 18:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, he needs to take his lumps and be glad he's not an adult yet! If you're gonna do the crime, you need to do your time! Talk to him and ask him how he would feel if someone did it to him! I've had identity theft done to me twice and it sucks! Maybe the D.A. will go easy on him if he admits his guilt and he hasn't been in any trouble. He really needs to take responsibility for his actions , because if he doesn't, he seems to be headed down the road of a close relationship to local law enforcement!!! You seem to be a caring friend, so give him some good advice and help him realize that he's headed for trouble! Good Luck to your friend and to you!!
2007-03-06 17:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regretting and realizing the fault is only way for your friend. All the punishment procedures are based on self realization, acceptance and improvement in the behavior in the future. Your friend should accept the situation and prepare himself not do such things again in future. He should forget his past and start a new life with all the honesty and sincerity. He should prove himself beneficial for the society. He should move on the path of honesty and truth. This will only help him to grow his self confidence and self respect.
2007-03-06 18:11:51 · answer #4 · answered by Pramod 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best thing to do is to go to the neighbour, tell the truth, offer a sincere apology and return the mail with a heart felt promise to never do it again...
2007-03-06 17:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by Val W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep his stupid mouth shut and straighten up his act. He could be facing a felony and that would result in the lose of alot of rights like voteing for one. He wouldn't be able to do ALOT of things if convicted. If he's learned his lesson then just stay quite and hope he makes it to 21 without getting his butt beat, like he deserves. Tell your friend to start acting his age instead acting like a 4 year old little grandpas girl. Slap some sence into the boy.
2007-03-06 17:45:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He should turn himself in. The neighbors already suspect him, they migth have convincing evidence. He should come clean, they might still press charges but the authorities should be lenient since he came forward.
Why did he do this anyway?
2007-03-06 17:44:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to jail or face whatever punishment awaits him.
If he gets away with it, he'll be taught that he can get away with doing crummy things and he may escalate into worse crime.
Shame on his parents for not marching him to the cops to face what he did.
2007-03-06 17:40:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think he should be honest and face up to whats hes done,if he thinks its OK to get away with this then it just may lead him to do more serious things later on in life.
2007-03-06 17:47:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kid should be locked away for a long, long time. He offers no value to society.
I suggest finding a new friend or you will likely end up in jail right beside him one day.
2007-03-06 17:49:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋