My friend Matt, a ridiculously nice guy but a bit of a problem drinker, was caught recently urinating on the street in old town Scottsdale.  When approached by a police officer and told her would be cited for urinating in public, he said "I ain't signing shit."  The officer said just sign it and you'll be on your way, otherwise I'm taking you to jail.  Neal, who is a bit more level-headed and less drunk, said Matt shut up and sign it.  Again, Matt said "I ain't signing shit.  And I sure as hell ain't listening to any beuroctatic crap from some city employee."  (Interestingly enough Matt also works for the city.)  So the cop brings Matt to jail, he spends the night and has a court date.  He shows up in Scottsdale court but the citation was written by a Phoenix cop - and this was supposed to be covered in Phoenix - so the case was dismissed.  Moral of the story I guess is don't sign shit.

Any criminal act is irresponsible, and I give it a three because more often than not, the criminal still chooses that way of life even when they get out. It's like they know nothing else.

I don't think this is a positive experience at all. I don't think I would like being around thugs and trouble makers. The only positive thing is that it may deter you from making the same mistake again and you might want to try harder to be a law abiding citizen.

I spent two weeks in jail for driving with a revoked license 5 times, getting caught with small quantities of drugs in the car and driving without insurance. This was during a period of my life when I use to spend all my money of clubbing, drugging and partying. The jail time didn't slow me down and only got worse because I ended up making more money at a new job. And though jail sucked-even for the two weeks I spent there- it was other another time and occurance that ended the madness. If jail did anything it got me to buy car insurance and after paying off the 20k in fines I racked up get my license renewed.

I think in the end a lesson can be learned and it should alway s be positive one. Most kids will get speeding tickets, maybe go downtown for a fight or tresspassing, maybe getting caught with a joint (like myself long ago) etc...its a good indication that they are pushing the envelope so to speak and needed a wake up call. I hope that some day my kids will learn from it the first time if it happens. There is nothing like being around a crwod of scumbags in a jail to let you see what youve been doing is foolish.