When people talk about criminals, they often have this very negative image in their heads. They think of people who commit violent crimes, peddle drugs or set out to defraud old ladies. The truth is, that most people most people break the law. And most people do it fairly frequently.
Here are some of the ways this happens:
Driving violations
Have you ever gone over the speed limit? Have you ever failed to stop on time at a red light? Or made a U-turn when you knew you weren’t legally permitted but thought no one would see you? If so you have broken the law. Even just driving along without realizing your vehicle has certain faults could result in criminal charges.
Copying something without permission
Have you printed off a picture you found on the internet, or uploaded it to your website? Have you photocopied chunks of a book you wanted to read but didn’t buy? If so, then you have probably broken the law. While it is sometimes permissible to copy something without the owner’s explicit permission, often it is not.
Drinking when underage
At what age did you have your first beer? Underage drinking is an offense, despite the fact that most people have probably done it.
If you are convicted of breaking the law, you will get a criminal record. You might not consider yourself to be a criminal, but in the eyes of the law (and of some people) you would be. If you face criminal charges of any kind, learning about your options to fight them could potentially help you avoid this.