Would you turn yourself in?

[Thurlor]

In my arrogance as a law abiding citizen (mostly) I have this belief that violent criminals should turn themselves in or else face double or triple sentencing.

Anyway, is it expecting too much of these criminals to actually take legal responsibility for their crimes?

To clarify, I'm not saying that those that turn themselves in should get a lessened sentenced, but rather those that don't turn themselves in should get increased sentences.

 

[Cognisant]

I think people would have to know they've been charged with a crime before they're obligated to turn themselves in and that already exists, it's called resisting arrest.

Up until the police make it clear they want to arrest you it's hard to say whether you're on the run, or you don't know you've committed a crime, or something's preventing you from turning yourself in now even though you intend to do so later.

 

[Teffnology]

Once in custody those prisoners won't get to see the outside world again, besides in a court room, for quite a long time if ever. Having them relinquish their final access to indulgences such as women, drugs, booze, good food, and private showers isn't very likely. Life on the run is no fun but it is way better than the thought of going to prison.

Even if faced with more time I would still expect a large number of fugitives.

Also the most likely to be the most violent criminal offender is one whom no one expects and hides in plain sight. Why should they turn themselves in if nobody is even suspicious of them or their activity?

 

[J-man]

>responsibility

mfw

 

[Jennywocky]

In my arrogance as a law abiding citizen (mostly) I have this belief that violent criminals should turn themselves in or else face double or triple sentencing.

Anyway, is it expecting too much of these criminals to actually take legal responsibility for their crimes?

To clarify, I'm not saying that those that turn themselves in should get a lessened sentenced, but rather those that don't turn themselves in should get increased sentences.

Sentencing is generally controlled by each state in the US. It's already complicated and variable enough here.

But really, if someone is going to break the law in the most violent ways, why on earth would they be the sort of person who turned themselves in? At worst, if they thought they would be captured and sentenced to 2-3x the punishment, they'd simply game the system at the last minute by turning themselves in to get the lowest possible sentence.

(And if a violent offender will already be sentenced to life in jail, then... what are you going to do? Send them to jail for life x 3? They already know they're getting the max they'll live through. They have no incentive.)

 

[Ex-User (11125)]

Once in custody those prisoners won't get to see the outside world again, besides in a court room, for quite a long time if ever. Having them relinquish their final access to indulgences such as women, drugs, booze, good food, and private showers isn't very likely. Life on the run is no fun but it is way better than the thought of going to prison.

Even if faced with more time I would still expect a large number of fugitives.

Also the most likely to be the most violent criminal offender is one whom no one expects and hides in plain sight. Why should they turn themselves in if nobody is even suspicious of them or their activity?

this plus
if the criminals arent living in a country with a jail system like the one in norway where they are actually treated like human beings, then i fail to see why they would willingly throw themselves there

 

[Yellow]

People experienced with the barrel-end of the justice system (in the US) are going to run because most law enforcement entities put minimal effort into chasing down criminals. Most cities/counties just wait for someone to get arrested/caught for something else, and then they have them transferred back to face their charges. It's a great system because so few of career criminals can go too long without commuting traffic violations or other little public crimes that put them in direct contact with people with arresting powers.

Edit: Also, most criminal investigations are handled poorly, and given alarmingly brief windows of attention before they are closed. So no, even if there were incentives for turning myself in, if I was a criminal, I'd be unlikely to do so.

 

[ummidk]

no

 

[Hadoblado]

Yes. That's far too much to expect.

Also, extended sentences are a terrible idea.

Do you have any idea how much it costs to keep someone in prison?

Tripling sentence time for not turning yourself in after a violent crime is equivocating dishonesty (or even omission of information) with twice the penalty of a violent crime. Also, this would have zero impact on people that are already looking at life sentences, which is the case with a lot of the worst violent crime.

Edit: Would I turn myself in? What good would that do? I'm in a better position to help those I've hurt if I'm free and choosing to take responsibility for my actions. Years spent in prison are years you spend draining money dollars instead of righting wrongs.