what do you think is a good situation that justifies breaking the law?

Question

im having a real writer's block....

Answer 1

Think of any situation where an immediate but technically illegal action must be taken to protect life or property (of a non-trivial value).

Things such as: breaking into a car on a sweltering day to rescue an infant. Hopping over a fence past a 'no trespassing' sign because you noticed that one of the structures there is on fire.

Think of it using the 'reasonable man' standard: "Would a person of reasonable judgment feel that some sort of immediate action was required in this situation?"

Answer 2

Your question poses a classic problem in situational ethics. Some of the answers above mention stealing to feed a starving family or killing to save another's life (the latter not usually being against the law [justifiable homicide]), but your question raises broader philosophical questions about the purpose behind a society establishing laws to protect itself from anarchy versus the individual who finds himself in such dire circumstances which would prompt him to ignore the law for self-survival.
Would a genuinely starving person be justified in stealing money for food? If a reasonably prudent person answers "yes" to that question, then we need only carry the hypothesis a step further by asking "how much money," or whether that starving person would be justified in mugging someone for money or, indeed, even killing to satisfy his hunger. Obviously, that same reasonably prudent person who justified stealing would start to draw the line somewhere. But where?
First, we would probably (as a just society} delineate a difference between crimes against property such as stealing a loaf of bread or trespassing, versus crimes against the person. Although it would be impossible for a legal system to specify in its criminal code all of the circumstances which might mitigate against harsh punishment, a system which provides a trial before a jury of one's peers and one which allows judges broad discretion in sentencing would be a good start. Any bona fide system of justice would allow broad leeway to its judges to apply equitable principles to the various circumstances which might justify a breech of the law (for example, the accused's background and prior criminal history, as well as the purported rationale for the defendant's alleged breech of the law).
Let me leave it there to avoid writing a thesis on the subject, but I will close to say only that we, as Americans are indeed privileged to have a country based on such principles. So when you see intrusions against basic rights such as that of habeous corpus, trial by jury or our protections against unreasonable search and seizure, don't be complacent because it doesn't affect you directly---it does. Remember, you are only one law away from being made a criminal.

Answer 3

to save your family from starvation.

Check the famous song about the Great Irish potato famine (1845-1849), "The Fields of Athenry"

"For you stole Trevelyan's corn
So the young might see the morn'"

Answer 4

If what you're writing is fiction a domestic terrorist would be a good one. Like a senator gone power hungry. Oh wait that's non fiction nevermind LOL.

Answer 5

To save someone's life. Trespassing when you hear cries for help, for example. Stealing food to survive.

Answer 6

Carrying a hand gun and using it to defend the lives of your family and yourself, in an area where hand guns are forbidden.

Answer 7

Stealing bread to feed your family

Answer 8

child abusers, they should be dragged out into the street and tortured to death.

Answer 9

shooting the law breakers ?