Why do some people break the law?

Answer 1

It will be to their advantage if they can get away with it

Answer 2

Criminals are as much a victim as those they have victimized, right? After all, they do what they do because of poverty, or bad parenting, or lousy peers, mental illness or the availability of a gun, right?

Well, no. Criminals are the way they are because that is what they choose to do. Even if a criminal has a mental illness, they commit crimes because they want to do so. Lots of people have mental illness, but very few of them commit crimes.

Criminals are not stupid. If they score low on IQ tests, that is usually because they could not care less about learning the kinds of things in school that are measured by such tests. They are quite adept at picking up on what will help them -- the law being a favorite course of study behind bars.

Also, criminals are quick to pick up on psychological jargon and get good at feeding it back to the practitioners. In other words, crooks are good at scamming mental health workers. If someone thinks they are nuts, not a crook, and that will get them out of jail, then, they quickly learn to sound as if they are mentally ill.

I warn therapists against listening to just one side -- especially when the one side is a criminal (of any age) who lies not out of necessity but as a way of getting a thrill from manipulating other people. Lying gives power. A child or a student can often con a mental health practitioner into thinking that a parent or a teacher is an abuser and should be brought under control in the criminal justice system. Samenow has found that without a third party who can provide a "truth check" of what the child or student accuser is saying, devastating injustices can result.

Indeed, many people come from poverty, broken homes, lousy neighborhoods filled with budding criminals -- and lead good, productive lives. And criminals can come from wealthy homes just as easily as not.

Answer 3

Anyone who has had the odd spliff, parked on a double yellow line, done 37 in a 30 mph zone, had a drink or smoke underage, had sex before 16 - they are all lawbreakers. I have done pretty much all of the above. Why did I do it? Because I wanted to at the time and it is all about degrees. Just because you pinch a rubber from Woolies aged 8 does not mean you will rob a bank at 18. I do not subscribe to the theory of inately good or bad. The potential is in ALL of us to act out of character for one reason or another - alcohol, mental health problems - and end up on the wrong side of the law.

Answer 4

The list of reasons is a mile long... p1ss off daddy, need the money, no conceince, etc...
The only reason I would break the law is because I don't agree with that particular law. Seat belts, for example. Now before people start telling me about all the wonderful benefits of seat belts, I always use my seatbelt and I believe laws for children in seat belts should exist to protect children because their parents won't do it. However, I also don't think that Uncle Sam has a right to make me wear a seat belt if I don't want to. I am potentially hurting no one but myself. I am firm in the belief that it is a money scam. But in such a case, I would peacefully and safely break any law I do not agree with.

Answer 5

Law is, for the most part, simply the codification of the generally acceptes morals, ethics, and standards by which a society lives. Some people just have different views.
Then there are all of the reasons cited above.

Doug

Answer 6

People break the law because ;

they want to and they know they won't be caught

they don't think the law is appropriate and they don't like it

they have no choice but to break the law

they are unware that they are breaking the law

Answer 7

Criminals like the excitement of doing what is prohibited. It is a characteristic they demonstrate often very early in life. Normal living is boring. Breaking the law is fun. They lie not out of uncontrollable compulsion, but for the excitement of manipulating and controlling other people.

Answer 8

Because they are unaware of the rules
& they usually have their Monday blues
because some people desire freedom
and they'll do anything to reach stardom
some people are students of psychology
and want to see reaction from an apology
many guys are fed up of their disloyal wives
desperately wanting to lead their own lives
unhappy breakups lead to complications
because its always work and no vacations
life just carries on in routine day and night everyday
so stop trying to impress the world and live your way.

Answer 9

Why is it illegal to smoke pot? It makes me feel good and i dont steal anything to pay for it. Yet because i am not allowed to grow my own plants i must buy super charged hydro from a dealer and traffic it back to my home. I dont sell it or mass produce it for others to sell. I just like doing something that is deemed illegal by law. I thought i was exercising my right of freedom to make my own choice's? Some laws are right and others produce criminals. I guess everything has its adversary. The word "good" is defined by the word "bad" and vice versa. One could not exist without the other.
So i guess it all depends on which law you were refering to.

Answer 10

there are so many reasons,
1. to get fame
2. taking it as adventurous
3. lack of knowledge
4. to get money, to fulfill wishes
5. to challenge the society
you have to think another fact, these laws are different depends on time and place. one law that is right in USA may not be right in Iraq. each and every person have their own mind set and laws, they belive that is right.

Answer 11

I think it fair to say we all break a law unwittingly at times, just think of all the benefits if the commandment, 'thou shalt not steal' was adhered to. The 'why' varies , easy pickings, thrills, necessities, anti establishment attitude etc;