What Constitutes a Criminal?
It fell out on one string of sentences. When I wrote it, I had to take notice.
When I took notice, I had to believe it. It wasn't hard to believe when I finally read it on the page.
Since that time, I’ve had conversations with a couple people I know. One of my questions in those conversations was, "What does it take to add up to be a criminal?"
What I’ve found is that it’s arbitrary, depending upon perspective.
A number of guys have somewhat shrugged it off. Like we all lived on the edge and did what we did. Tending to think I am no different than them or no different than all of us in our circles.
They haven't read my story yet.
I believe they will see the difference once they reach the understanding my story will provide.
At that time, I believe they will feel something different. The difference that the understanding will provide.
I think growing up in Montana is a qualifier. Not that Montanans have a lock on criminality but there certainly are some inherent patterns and personalities that don't necessarily look down on lower-level criminality. And there are some varying levels to consider when rating criminal acts.
Certainly, misdemeanors are quite often understood as the price of life. Misdemeanors are more like rules that when broken, if you are caught, they cost money. No jail time seems to mean it really isn't that big of a deal. Again, the price of life.
Low level felonies are riskier because they can result in arrest and jail time. But that still isn't the deterrent that most of society realizes. No jail time seems to mean it really isn’t that big of a deal. If you are not caught, no harm, no foul.
This lends to what I say in my story. When it’s a group thing it just doesn't feel wrong.
Another question I asked of my friends—what does it take to add up to be a criminal? I never got a clean answer. Because the answer isn't in the conversation. It isn't in the comparison to others. It isn't in the charge sheet or the jail time.
The answer is in the understanding of how a person gets there and stays there without ever fully seeing it.
That is the understanding my story provides.
Benjamin F Sautter