MSNBC Lockup

In recent years, I have been intrigued by the MSNBC documentary called Lockup.  It is a series about life in various prisons and jails throughout the country, and it makes law-abiding citizens like myself appreciate how good we have it in the Free World and not want to do anything to get sent away to a lockup facility.

After some pondering, I have come up with 7 things to avoid to keep yourself out of Lockup.

1. Weapons
2. Violence
3. Drugs/alcohol/substance abuse
4. Fraud (including stealing)
5. Vendettas (If you try to get back at someone by "taking the law into your own hands," it's usually a crime)
6. Gangs (where someone might tell you to do something to get yourself locked up)
7. Harmful mischief (That would cover acts like vandalism, crank-calling, or perhaps shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater)

Of course, many acts could be a combination of those things.  Some criminals have stolen money for drugs.  Or, there might be a gang shooting.  Or, perhaps someone was killed or tortured as an act of revenge.  In any case, as long as you avoid doing things that fall under those 7 categories, you can stay in the Free World even if you are ignorant of the law.