Quote:
Originally Posted by Sun Tzu
When does a person become a criminal? When they commit a felony or only if they are caught and convicted?
US Code
title 8 section 1325
Arizona isn't doing anything other than giving law enforcement authority to enforce a federal law that is already on the books. title 8 section Sec. 1357
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I would argue that it all depends on the people you're dealing with.
Some people will view you as a criminal just because you're in handcuffs.
Some will hesitate and think, "I wonder if that guy's civil rights are being violated..."
Some people will exercise restraint in forming an opinion without all the facts, and indeed wait until the court exposes the issues and allegations to starting thinking about it.
Though, I will also argue that if you live in the USA, and you leave your house from time to time, you've probably committed a few felonies you didn't even know about.
Or, in other words, you don't become a criminal when you do wrong, or you get caught doing wrong, you become a criminal as soon as that birth certificate is filled out.