A woman might go to jail for forgetting to return library books

At first, I was thinking that arresting this woman was absurd, beyond belief. After reading the article about her and this incident, I'm not so sure that a little jail time would necessarily be a bad thing, for her. The article hints that she has done this before. That's the only reason I feel as I do.
 
I didn't care for the woman's attitude but it seems like a waste of the taxpayer's money and an abuse of the system to issue an arrest warrant over a library fine.

I also think that the library fine should be capped at the cost of the book plus some sort of administrative/collection fee instead of continuing to grow over time.
 

After reading the link, it appears that the library followed proper protocol in getting their property returned. If what the defendant is claiming is to be believed, that she moved, changed addresses, phone, etc., then it may be possible for her attorney to work out a deal in her behalf.

I believe that the court will urge the parties to get together and workout a solution, but you never know.
 
Yeah, I see what you mean, Bea. But then, considering that this woman has apparently had a troubled life with some big-time problems, telling her that she is arrested for overdue library books might get a laughter reaction. What else should she do? Fall down on the floor and beg for mercy?
 
Yeah, I see what you mean, Bea. But then, considering that this woman has apparently had a troubled life with some big-time problems, telling her that she is arrested for overdue library books might get a laughter reaction. What else should she do? Fall down on the floor and beg for mercy?

Return the books and pay the fine.
 
It’s not the police, the library filed a complaint, the D.A., judge, justice of the peace, or whoever is the legal rep for that town, issued the warrant and the cops did their duty and served it.

I could never make it as a cop. There is no way in Hell I'd enforce a chickenshit warrent like that. I'd get fired first.
 
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Yeah, I see what you mean, Bea. But then, considering that this woman has apparently had a troubled life with some big-time problems, telling her that she is arrested for overdue library books might get a laughter reaction. What else should she do? Fall down on the floor and beg for mercy?
Every body has big time problems. I kept a book too long once and gladly returned it and paid my 50 cent fine and apologized. I never did it again. If you take care of the little things as they come up you will avoid the big things. My library has an online website that will let you know if you need to return a book. Thats where I saw that I had not returned a book. I have paid attention to it now. Our library has a drive through so you can just drive through and return your book if you would rather not get out and go in.
 
Terry, I'm talking about REALLY big-time problems. Such as having a desperately ill child; being trapped in an abusive relationship with no clear path to getting out; coping with serious mental (or physical) illness; being evicted from one's home with no place to go, etc. People do have horrendous things happen to them, sometimes due to their own fault, often not.

So, do you think piling a jail sentence on would really accomplish anything, for this person or for society? Does the library really need her 50 cent fine and her "apology" that badly?
 
When my son went to college, I found a pile of books under his bed....They were all from the Library....I brought them to the Library and gave them money for being so late....The lovely Library Lady was so nice....She was just so happy I returned the books....She told me most people keep books even though they send out a letter to return the books.. She said people probably take the books with them when they move and they never get the books back....
 
Terry, I'm talking about REALLY big-time problems. Such as having a desperately ill child; being trapped in an abusive relationship with no clear path to getting out; coping with serious mental (or physical) illness; being evicted from one's home with no place to go, etc. People do have horrendous things happen to them, sometimes due to their own fault, often not.

So, do you think piling a jail sentence on would really accomplish anything, for this person or for society? Does the library really need her 50 cent fine and her "apology" that badly?
Does the same logic apply when she fails to pay her income tax, gets a speeding ticket, stops paying her car insurance or rent?

We live in a world where our actions have consequences. I agree that the actions of the library are over the top but when we break the rules/law we are not allowed to decide our own punishment/fate.

IMO the woman should settle this in an honorable way with the library and accept the consequences of her actions without making excuses or playing the victim.

I also believe that now that this policy has come to light the library board should attempt to make some changes to the policy going forward.
 
Why do I get the feeling there is way more to this story. She took out the books in 2017. So, she hasn't been in contact with the librray since then? BUT she was banned from using the library's printer "a few months ago". And supposedly, she returned the books at some time? I think incarceration is a scare tactic. It's going to cost the local government many $ thousands, for $37.58 in used books.
 
Terry, I'm talking about REALLY big-time problems. Such as having a desperately ill child; being trapped in an abusive relationship with no clear path to getting out; coping with serious mental (or physical) illness; being evicted from one's home with no place to go, etc. People do have horrendous things happen to them, sometimes due to their own fault, often not.

So, do you think piling a jail sentence on would really accomplish anything, for this person or for society? Does the library really need her 50 cent fine and her "apology" that badly?
I have had a few of those REALLY big problems and still deal with an illness that could take me out in a heartbeat. I never said anything about going to jail. She could work something out. But you have to deal with things as they come. I received bad news from test results this morning and am weighing my options but I am also looking at my desk and seeing what obligations I can take care of before proceeding. Nobody is going to take her to jail, just a scare tactic. The library will not want the publicity about them being the bad guy! You still have to take care of your business and family members could help if there are any. But that brings in a lot of other family issues and problems.
 
Yes, she and/or her family and friends should try to make good on whatever amount she owes the library. And if the fines have added up to more than a few bucks, there is something seriously wrong there. Do the fines increase exponentially week by week, so that by the end of. say, a year, she owes ten million dollars? It begins to sound like a sick joke.

"We live in a world where actions have consequences" begins to sound like Inspector Javert, rather than a compassionate human being. Somehow, those "consequences" always seem to be levied against the poorest of the poor, not those who are, er, high up in government.
 
This type of flagrant disregard for library property would be curtailed if they simply burn her at the stake and televise it during prime time.
 
One of the best Seinfeld episodes was Jerry discovering he has a book he signed out many years ago. He was hounded by the library detective Mr. Bookman.
 


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