Have you ever accidentally committed a crime? Thousands of people in an online forum recently discussed what those crimes look like. Here is what they confessed.
1. Accidental Theft
How many times have you had a case of water or some sodas on the rack at the bottom of your cart and inadvertently walked out of the store without paying for it? I’m uncertain if I ever had, other than once, when I caught myself and came back into the store and paid. However, I can see this being an easy accidental crime.
2. Speeding
Admit it; if you are a driver, you have sped down the road over the limit before. So technically, that is an easy and common crime to commit. Countless people in the forum argue that it’s illegal but not criminal because it’s an infraction and not a criminal charge. Many others argue that those folks are idiots with that logic.
3. Opening Someone Else’s Mail
Have you ever opened someone else’s mail? Did you know that it’s a criminal offense? Several forum members admit to accidentally opening their neighbor’s mail, closing it, and quickly returning it. Although one has a different take, “If you take it to them, you are basically pleading guilty. Better to destroy all evidence and exterminate all witnesses!” I’d opt for the former option.
4. Tax Fraud
Making errors on your tax return is a big no-no that can result in hefty fines and even a dreadful audit. Some warn that if you live in the U.S., the IRS can show up even years later with tacked-on interest for those mistakes. Nobody thinks this is right, but the people have yet to stand up to abolish the nonsense. They know what we make, and we shouldn’t have to file anything and then get in trouble if it’s not done correctly.
5. Purchasing Stolen Goods
Have you ever purchased something off Craigslist or the Facebook Marketplace and later questioned if the item was a stolen good? While some suggest it’s not a crime if you are unaware, I think it renders being mentioned in these accidental circumstances.
6. Not Renewing Vehicle Registration
Did you know that it’s criminal not to renew your vehicle registration? Many forum members admit to accidentally committing that one. That happened to me once, and I had no idea until I was pulled over. One thread contributor says, “I’d like to add a state inspection. Moved from a state that didn’t do them to a state that did, had no idea it was a thing until I got pulled over for not having one. At least now I get that Parks and Rec joke.”
7. Public Urination
Be careful where you pee. It doesn’t matter if it’s an emergency. In the U.S., some states will make you register on the sex offenders list if caught urinating in public. I’ve never heard of any women catching this charge, but maybe it’s because more men do their business on trees and sides of buildings. I know it’s accurate, though, and have known one man with this unfortunate experience.
8. Jaywalking
Jaywalking is when you cross the street outside of a designated intersection. While someone suggests that no one does that “accidentally,” others argue that they have. A Californian informs, “L.A. legalized jaywalking a couple of years ago.”
9. Loitering
Loitering is another thing many people confess to being guilty of inadvertently doing. I remember one time I was hanging out on the side of a 24-hour Safeway building late at night and had a police officer pull up and bother me and my friends because we were “loitering.” Many people believe it’s to help keep the homeless and substance abuse users away from civilization.
10. Using a Fake Bill
Using a fake bill is something one could do accidentally; as someone explains, “Used to get fake 10s when I worked for cash tips a lot. I gave it to a gas station attendant, and he used one of those markers on it. Technically they are supposed to call the cops on you.” Others wonder if they expect people to walk around with those pens to check all cash transactions.
11. Littering
Have you ever accidentally littered? I have. I was driving down the freeway as a young, stupid driver. I had all my windows down, my music up, and I was enjoying the sun (a rarer thing in Seattle). Anyways, without any warning, a plastic grocery bag flew up from my back seat and right out the window before I even realized what happened.
12. Vehicular Manslaughter
On a more serious note, vehicular manslaughter is the charge you receive when you accidentally hit someone with your car with it, resulting in their death. However, unlike the others, I am sure you do nothing but think about it if that happens.
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Source: Reddit.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.