Summary
This page examines hyper-criminality as it impacts the justice system and society.
This article is does not intend to condone or glamorize criminal behavior, but instead looks for ways to redirect the energy of those with hyper-criminal tendencies.
Some videos are referenced as resources to provide a synopsis insight into significant personalities.
Brief Overview
There are some people in society who are not deterred by the justice system. Threatened with fines, legal action, or incarceration, they will not change their behavior.
Imagine someone who has Tourettes syndrome being told they will be fined every time they swear. Or, a drug addict being told to stop doing drugs or they will be fined.
Hyper-criminals utilize a high functioning ability to accomplish what seem to be super-human illegal outcomes. Criminal accomplishments are achieved almost effortlessly due to the skill and unique high-functioning mind of such people. There is a natural talent and innate ability that makes hyper-criminal behavior possible.
The remainder of this page will provide some examples and then make the case that hyper-criminals should be exempt from the standard criminal justice system.
The best outcome is to convince a hyper-criminal person to serve humanity with their skills and abilities.
Frank Abagnale
The movie Catch Me If You Can is based on the life of Frank Abagnale. It begins with a scene where Abagnale’s accomplishments are summarized as follows:
“From 1964 to 1967, I successfully impersonated an airline pilot for Pan Am Airways. I flew over 2 million miles for free. At that same time, I was also the chief resident pediatrician at a Georgia Hospital, and an assistant attorney general for the state of Louisiana. By the time I was caught, I was considered the youngest and most daring conman in U.S. history. I had cashed almost $400 million in fraudulent checks in 26 foreign countries and all 50 states, and I did it all before my 19th birthday. My name is Frank William Abagnale.”
Due to his exceptional ability to flow undetected through numerous security and compliance measures, eventually Abagnale was hired by law enforcement to be a consultant and resource to help solve cases.
A trailer for the movie Catch Me If You Can is below.
The show White Collar is said to be partially inspired by Frank Abagnale. This is mentioned in a Google event presentation where Abagnale spoke about his life. [View]
The Thomas Crown Affair
The movie The Thomas Crown Affair is based on a true story of a painting theft. In the Hollywood portrayal, the painting is not stolen for money. Instead, it is a puzzle and a challenge that intrigues the thief. The thrill of a cat and mouse game motivates the crime.
This is another aspect of hyper-criminal behavior. It is at times chaotic, erratic, and emotional — not being driven based on pure monetary motives.
A trailer for the film is below. The full movie is available on YouTube. [View]
Iowa Business Owner
In a surprise raid, federal agents descended on an Iowa business in May of 2008. When the raid was complete, the tally of offenses came to over 900 and in one report were estimated at 900,000 counts of violations. These violations were related to labor law, environmental law, banking, and a variety of allegedly fraudulent documents. The business owner was sent to prison.
According to Wikipedia: “He was sentenced to 27 years in prison, but this led to an outcry by a bipartisan group of more than 100 former high-ranking and distinguished Department of Justice (DOJ) officials, prosecutors, judges, and legal scholars who expressed concern with the evidentiary proceedings in his case as well as with the severity of his sentence. On December 20, 2017, then-President Donald Trump commuted his sentence to time served, and his trial on immigration charges was canceled.” [Source]
Donald Trump
As a story-teller, former President Donald Trump is known for sometimes exaggerating or embellishing details in ways some consider to be incorrect representations or lies. Over a period of four years, approximately 30,000 “lies” were identified. On a single day, he allegedly made over 500 false claims. [Source] If his trajectory remains consistent, he may now have made 60,000 questionable claims since 2015.
Some of Trump’s alleged misrepresentations could have legal implications. For example, if a derogatory statement is made about someone, that could be considered defamation or slander. In some instances, Trump faced lawsuits for his statements. There is still some speculation that misrepresentations about the value of his businesses may become a focal point of legal action.
There have been some alleged legal issues with various Trump businesses. Financial settlements have helped bring closure to some of those concerns.
Trump is currently accused of 91 felony charges. Combined with his numerous alleged lies and claims from women who say he behaved inappropriately, along with the nationally televised incriminating public statements he has made, the list of possible offenses continues to grow. A 2019 report claims that the Trump campaign had unpaid bills to numerous cities totaling over $800,000 dating back several years. [Source]
Some of Trump’s lawyers who weren’t paid for their services have become soured on him. One of Trump’s former lawyers recently described him as a malignant narcissist. [Source]
This background and context suggests that Trump may have hyper-criminal behavior.
An aspect of hyper-criminality is that our legal system isn’t equipped to process individuals who commit thousands of crimes. The cost and time required are too excessive. The deterrence of the justice system is not effective with such people.
It is interesting to note that one of the first people Trump let out of prison is an alleged hyper-criminal (as mentioned above).
CELEBRITY CRIMINALS — It’s common for famous criminals to attain celebrity status. Criminals like Al Capone as well as Bonnie and Clyde have become fixtures in history textbooks. A focus group of Trump supporters were asked why they support him, and a common appeal stated was that Trump is a “gansta.” [Source] This reputation is part of his brand.
A MINOR UNDER THE LAW — Numerous reports have concluded that his dominant personality is that of a four-year-old. [Sources: Psychology Today / Washington Post] If this is true, Trump’s behavior is appropriate and to be expected. Trump being tried as an adult is inappropriate. He should be considered as a child under the law. Thus, the current legal actions against Trump should probably be thrown out of court and pursued differently. For more on this topic, see “Language Expert: Donald Trump’s Way Of Speaking Is ‘Oddly Adolescent'” from Sep 2017. [View]
Acquittals, Pardons, Exonerations
Trump is a good case study and textbook example of why accommodations need to be made for individuals with hyper-criminal tendencies.
As suggested above, Trump has an adolescent level of development, exhibits hyper-criminal tendencies, and experiences mild affluenza. These are non-derogatory observations about his behavior. As with other hyper-criminals, Trump seems to be well suited for acquittals, pardons, and exonerations.
As we’ve already seen, the justice system can’t be used as a punishment or deterrent for someone like Trump. Also, it would be too costly for taxpayers to cover the cost of many thousands of trials and investigations.
A person who violates court orders when being tried for other crimes will perpetually be in court. Having multiple proceedings in different states will result in an unacceptable pollution and environmental carbon impact.
Trump should be given full immunity for past, present, and future behavior. As with Frank Abagnale, someone with Trump’s abilities should not be prosecuted. He should be hired as a consultant for government agencies. As mentioned above, the show White Collar is said to be partially inspired by Frank Abagnale. A similar show or movie could be made about Trump. It could feature Trump if he’s interested in the role.
Surprisingly, the best “defense” for someone like Trump is “guilty on all counts” to establish a hyper-criminality defense.
Pro-Trump or Anti-Trump
Those in the pro-Trump camp want to maintain the position that he’s completely honest and has never done any of the things he’s accused of. He only makes perfect phone calls, has all the best words, and is a stable genius. However, the excessive elevation of his saint-like status only results in compromised logic and principles. Acknowledging that he’s a talented and successful hyper-criminal would be the best position to take. It could result in him no longer being encumbered by the justice system. It would maintain his elevated status based more substantially on facts.
Those in the anti-Trump camp seek to have him punished for as many crimes as possible. Yet, ultimately, the goal should be minimizing the harm that he can do. Supporting legal immunity for Trump is really the best position to de-escalate the cold-civil war fueled by his controversies.
Conclusion
The criminal justice system makes accommodations for those with drug addiction and mental illness. Similar accommodations should e made for hyper-criminals so that their skills and abilities can serve society rather than being a cost to society.