Should this be a crime?

[Benfica]

I can't believe more than 80% say NO.

Look, if you live in a deserted place which requires you to take the robber's car to flee to safety then you can argue that in court.

But if you stole his car because you are pissed off then no it's not OK. Think of it this way, you see your room mate steal your leftover hamburger in the fridge, so you decide to take his wallet and his $200 buck in it. Is that justified?

OK, that was a bit of an exageration but the law needs to be strict to prevent people from taking the law into their own hands and decide what is fair. That is what courts are for. The last thing you want is for someone to stab you for pushing him around.

So, if in the case of the robber, I say get the hell outta there and just take down his License plate, or better yet just take his keys outta his car and run for your own safety.

Some people are so ignorant.Im surpirsed 12+ voted yes. Whats the point of writing down the license plate it is most likely stolen so that leads to a dead end. Then they will probally drop the car and get in another.And the guy was trying to save his life. That is one of the smartest things to do to take there get away car so they can not get in it, better then taking a life isnt it? He did just take it bc he was pissed he did it to save his life and the potential life for the thieves.


No answer these questions! You see people robbing your house your gonna run while they take all of your things? Oh wait but before you do that you right down the license plate to find it leads no where? What a great thing to do is in it.

You talk so big but when your in that situation your brain go in ultra drive get some adreline and do what you need to do!

 

[Pyramid_Party]

What if they have a gun? Seriously, the person panicked and feared for their life and took the car to USE a pay phone. Totally justified in my opinion. What else can you do? If you fear for you life you are gonna do what it takes to make sure you arent killed, and people know robber carry guns. Should they have tried calling the cops from their house and risk being caught and killed?

 

[smpage]

Should it be illegal? No. But is it illegal? Yes. I voted yes for the simple fact that I can see why it is illegal. EVERYONE has rights. Not just you. (or you, you, you, you and you too)

 

[smpage]

What if they have a gun? Seriously, the person panicked and feared for their life and took the car to USE a pay phone. Totally justified in my opinion. What else can you do? If you fear for you life you are gonna do what it takes to make sure you arent killed, and people know robber carry guns. Should they have tried calling the cops from their house and risk being caught and killed?

Also he didn't use a pay phone. he called while driving. Take the time to read the OP.

 

[smpage]

You see people robbing your house your gonna run while they take all of your things? Oh wait but before you do that you right down the license plate to find it leads no where? What a great thing to do is in it.

You talk so big but when your in that situation your brain go in ultra drive get some adreline and do what you need to do!

Read the OP. he called from a cell phone. I don't know what the emergency response time is like in your town but in my town, calling the cops with the license plate number during a robbery would ensure the police being there during the robbery. Thank god for cell phones.

 

[dragonfish]

Some questions for the twelve who thinks this should be a crime.

1. What fairy tale land are you living in that all laws are black and white, cut and dried, applying equally to everyone in every situation. What is th ename of this place that has no need for lawyers.

2. Have you ever done the right thing. Placed a police report on your vandalised vehicle. Found out who did it, turned over the information to discover they were given slaps on the wrist because of age. Bet they continued their ways until someone got hurt.

3. Have you ever come home and had the feeling of being violated because some dirtbag was in your home and wanted your things. Including things that had been in the family but had no real insurable value.

4. Have you ever had to go comfort your mom at 4 in the morning because she got thrown to the floor by the robbers she surprised. They had been watching the apartment and knew my dad went out at a certain time to deliver papers. When she surprised them they fortunately only threw her to the floor.

Of course you have never been through any of this because you live in that fairy tale land where dreams can come true. When you can answer yes to these then maybe you wil feel different. And for those who are using the excuse that they voted yes because it still is a crime whether or not it's right or what the OP said, reread title. It doesn't say is this a crime. it say should this be a crime.

 

[smpage]

It doesn't say is this a crime. it say should this be a crime.

Indeed the title states should this be a crime and because I can see why it is illegal then it should be illegal. Now, stick with me here because some of you are only going to read half of this then flame me not knowing really what you're flaming me for. At the time, the dispatcher did not know for a fact that the van was indeed the robbers' van and dispensed the legal advice to pull over so as not to get in trouble for auto theft. If the van was indeed stolen and he took the van how is anyone to verify that the robbers' had the van to begin with. Now the burden of proof is on the victim when all he was doing was trying to get away. I say the law stands for that very reason. yes.

 

[Chaitika]

Some questions for the twelve who thinks this should be a crime.

1. What fairy tale land are you living in that all laws are black and white, cut and dried, applying equally to everyone in every situation. What is th ename of this place that has no need for lawyers.

2. Have you ever done the right thing. Placed a police report on your vandalised vehicle. Found out who did it, turned over the information to discover they were given slaps on the wrist because of age. Bet they continued their ways until someone got hurt.

3. Have you ever come home and had the feeling of being violated because some dirtbag was in your home and wanted your things. Including things that had been in the family but had no real insurable value.

4. Have you ever had to go comfort your mom at 4 in the morning because she got thrown to the floor by the robbers she surprised. They had been watching the apartment and knew my dad went out at a certain time to deliver papers. When she surprised them they fortunately only threw her to the floor.

Of course you have never been through any of this because you live in that fairy tale land where dreams can come true. When you can answer yes to these then maybe you wil feel different. And for those who are using the excuse that they voted yes because it still is a crime whether or not it's right or what the OP said, reread title. It doesn't say is this a crime. it say should this be a crime.

I can answer yes to 2 of the 3 criteria you use, and if the 3rd was slightly different, then my score would be 3 yes'.

I didn't vote because the question is too vague but I will say this much about the topic. Having a crime committed against you does not justify committing a crime yourself.

I live in the fairy tale land that you so condescendingly allude to as being where my behaviour and attitudes will influence those around me, especially younger people. I'm not raising my son in a community where vigilantyism is promoted and condoned.

For the most part, laws ARE black and white. For the most part, laws are agreed on for the purpose of protecting citizens, and are not created for exacting vengeance. Even the process of sentencing a convicted felon is meant to be about protecting citizens and communities from the perpetrator, showing other would-be-criminals what could happen if they were to behave unlawfully(deterrence) and to also provide rehabilitation.

Don't get me wrong. I don't support criminals. I just don't support the idea of people taking the law into their own hands because they don't like or agree with the justice system.

 

[Dionysus]

Didn't read everyones answers, but I dont think he can get charged with anything. Unless the robbers called in the van stolen and pressed charges, he wasn't driving a stolen vehicle. And if the thieves said he stole they're van, they would also be facing burglary charges, so it wouldn't be in their best interest.
This guy did the best thing possible IMO. He didn't try an be a hero by fighting them and getting killed or killing them. He took away their chance of getting away with his stuff, at least big stuff. And he probably blew the robbers minds when they saw their getaway van was stolen ("WTF")

 

[cassharper]

Didn't read everyones answers, but I dont think he can get charged with anything. Unless the robbers called in the van stolen and pressed charges, he wasn't driving a stolen vehicle. And if the thieves said he stole they're van, they would also be facing burglary charges, so it wouldn't be in their best interest.
This guy did the best thing possible IMO. He didn't try an be a hero by fighting them and getting killed or killing them. He took away their chance of getting away with his stuff, at least big stuff. And he probably blew the robbers minds when they saw their getaway van was stolen ("WTF")

BUT I READ THIS STORY ON THE INTERNET WHERE SOME TERRIBLE INJUSTICE INVOLVING THE COURTS HAPPENED LOL.

Short answer: If you don't know law, don't argue it. (not directed at above poster)