Do you assume that you’ll never face criminal charges because you never break any “serious” laws? You don’t sell drugs or rob banks or steal cars. You consider yourself an upstanding and law-abiding citizen.
This may be true, but the reality is that people often break the law without even thinking about it. The best example, perhaps, is the speed limit, which it seems like everyone breaks on a fairly consistent basis. But there are many more laws that average people ignore all the time.
For instance, have you ever played poker with your friends and bet money on the hands? You may have broken the law and engaged in illegal gambling.
Have you ever connected to a WiFi connection that was not yours, just because the person forgot to put a password on it? This is so common that people often joke about “stealing” WiFi as if it is the other person’s fault for not securing the connection. In actuality, you may be breaking the law with that unauthorized use.
Here’s another one: Have you ever shared or “borrowed” medication from a family member or a friend? Maybe you forgot your ADHD medication at college and took a pill from your sibling during a weekend visit home. Maybe one of your friends had leftover painkillers after surgery and gave them to you to help with an injury. Sharing prescription drugs is illegal, even if no money changes hands.
Maybe you haven’t done any of these things, but the point is that there are plenty of examples of everyday behaviors that break the law. Never assume you won’t end up facing criminal charges over something you never considered a big deal. Make sure you understand your legal options if you do by talking to an experienced defense attorney.
