Justifiable crimes? Sounds like looking for relatable villains in a fictional story. In a black-and-white world, the law should be the law. Straight and narrow. Any form of deflection from it should be punished severely. However, that’s not how the world is. In the real world, 2+2 is rarely equal to 4 and there are so many things involved that can be referred to as “extenuating circumstances”.
Why did they do it? How did they do it? Did they plan it? Was it spontaneous? The answers to the questions get to determine the severity of the crime and as such, the punishment. As the world is today, everyone is obliged to report a crime. I don’t think it’s a choice. If you see a crime going on, you have a duty to report it. If not, if it could be proven that you knew about it and kept quiet, you could be charged with accessory after the fact. And if the crime led to murder, you could even find yourself in a bigger pot of soup.
So, will there ever be a justification for crime? Logically, there shouldn’t be a justification for crime, at all. After all, if such allowances are made, people will start looking for more reasons to commit that same crime. As expected. So, it’s best not to even get into such a field at all.
But then, what exactly constitutes a crime? It’s simply doing something you shouldn’t do. Murder is killing someone that you shouldn’t. That’s why there are several degrees of murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter. All of them are depending on the circumstances surrounding the murder. If you kill someone attacking you, it’s not a crime. It can be called self-defense. No one would have any sympathy for the dead guy. It’s that simple.
So, the differences will be based mainly on the motive. Why they did what they did and what they stood to gain. But then, the topic talks about crime. One that in the eye of the law, is clearly a crime, but for some reason, it’s justifiable. Well, the only one I can think of right now is Robin Hood. A vigilante of sorts that would steal from the corrupt and powerful, then give it all to the poor, rejected by their own leaders.
Note that this guy won’t attack everyone just because they’re rich. As long as your money was made legitimately, you’re safe. However, those who divert public funds, or choose to pocket money meant for the development of the country would be targets. Robin Hood would hit them hard, wipe them all off the money that rightfully belongs to the citizens, and then disappear. The next time they appear, another corrupt leader will get hit.
This is one criminal I can understand. Even if they’re eventually caught and persecuted, I’ll understand their motives. While what they did wasn’t right, and going against the law wasn’t ideal, I can understand why they took such extreme measures. They didn’t do it for themselves, they did it for the people. That will always resonate with anyone who has a heart.
I know that the law would definitely be too harsh when Robin Hood eventually gets captured because those in power would never let anyone who threatens that which gives them the power to thrive. They will also do their best to ensure that people lose their fate in them so that they will no longer be so inspirational.
It’s just the way of the world. It’s not fair, but it is what it is. This is a world where people boldly steal billions and get away with it. However, someone else can steal bread to eat and he would be facing a serious jail term. As I said; in the real world, 2+2 rarely makes 4.
But then, what can we do?
