Crime vs. Family

[freesurfer]

How would you deal with the situation that a member of your family had commited a crime?

Would things be different for you? Would you choose to not support this member? What if it's only a robbery and they are convicted for it? How about murder?

[whitequeen96]

It depends on the crime. If it were murder, child abuse or molestation, anything violent, I'd turn him/her in. If it was drug use, moonshining (hey! it still goes on!), not paying their taxes, I'd try to talk some sense into them and get them to stop. I wouldn't turn them in for that kind of crime.

Of course, circumstances would influence my decision. Do I think this family member is basically a good or bad person? I actually did turn in someone in my (extended) family for a very bad thing years ago. (I won't go into it.) I kept thinking about the UnaBomber's brother, and how we must keep the good of society in mind.

[MirandaS30]

I turned my own father in for bank robbery at a local bank after seeing a picture of him last year, It was him! I'm positive! So I turned him in, but he was never convicted... They did follow him around for a while though, probably trying to see if he was spending excessivly.

I felt no shame turning him in. I may not do it again though, because the investigator gave my father indications that I was the one that turned him in.

[AndersonGal]

I would have no use for them.
(depending on what it was)

Robbery, murder would mean they were no relative of mine. I have disowned family before. I don't think just because they are related to me means I have to give a Rats Tail about somebody I don't care for/like/respect or whatever.

Sounds cold huh?

[freesurfer]

I'd be the same way AG. Crime and family just don't mix.

[Debbie42]

My daughter spent 4 months in prison last year she is still my daughter and all ways will be. Her main crime was being afraid of her husband because as I later found out he was beating her. So she went along with what he wanted. As far as a violent crime I do not know how I would react because I have never been in that situation. I learned about 15 years ago that just because I say I will do something when I am actually put in that situation that is not all ways how you will react. I can understand what AG is saying though if I didn't care for them before why would I stand by them when they get in trouble.

[prism68]

Originally Posted by Debbie42

My daughter spent 4 months in prison last year she is still my daughter and all ways will be...

My younger brothers have both served time...
The first one, I stood in court with him and tried to defend his 'honor' to the judge. It was awful; this is a small town and I was really worried about my reputation. I held a position at the time as a community liason, and the chairman of the board (my boss, basically) was the same attorney that was court-appointed to defend my brother. I ended up visiting him all I could; how could I not?

Anyway, my other little brother just recently got out of prison for a felony; he served 4 years, paroled for 6. His was a high-profile type crime so his picture was all over the paper ('faked' a robbery at the restaurant he managed to cover drug debt).
Again, this is a small town. Really hard on my mom, especially as she works in a visible position.

I visited him as often as I could, even though he was several hours away. At first I hung back, I was so disappointed in what he had done. But then I came to my senses. Jesus said something along the lines of 'when you visited those in prison, you visited me'... That really started to creep up on me. If his family didn't come, who would? Also, I have several things in my past that I deeply regret. How could I turn my back on these young men whom are my own flesh and blood for making mistakes?

By the way, I am a behaviorist by trade and DON'T condone their misbehavior, nor do I support their poor choices. I do not give them money, etc., and I always expect them to bear the full weight of their consequences. Heck I was a correctional officer for over a year myself!
HOWEVER, it is killing me that my brother can't get a job because he is being honest about his past (which I am strongly encouraging him to do). He has served his time, he is paying his dues everyday... he is an awesome, go-getter as an employee. Anyway- I'd like to see someone willing to give him a chance.

At any rate, blood is thicker than water and I guess you never really know until you walk that mile yourself.

[hrdlife1]

Family or not, I would turn them in, but they would know before I did turn them in and why...blood is thicker than water, yes, but it also means you and i both have the same blood running through our veins and I don't do stuff like that but you do and therefore you should be held accountable for your actions and hopefully learn from it.

My brother surely did.