Is it possibile for fugitives to live a life ? - 25th Hour (2003) Discussion

[–] Welcometoprimetimebitch 12 years ago

My guess would be that it's possible to completely start over by using a different name with no reference to your past life. It's not like you have a microchip planted on you with which the government can track your location. Although I have no idea how likely someone can get a job and rent a place without any documents at all. Maybe in a super small rural town you might find compassionate people who can help you start over. Would be really interesting to hear from someone who has managed to do this.

reply

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

I think your best bet would be to go back to drug dealing, or work a really crappy job like a illegal immigrant would work. If they can make it work, one would think a fugitive would be able to also.

--------
See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

reply

[–] TerminalMan 11 years ago

Just read about John List: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_List

That's a pretty unique case, but gives an idea of what is, theoretically, possible.

reply

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Wow.

--------
See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

reply

[–] Krustallos 11 years ago

Some of the Weather Underground were on the run for decades. You could get away with it but you'd likely have to live pretty much off-grid, work cash in hand or make your money from crime, and of course if you ever fell into the hands of the police it would be all over as soon as they took your fingerprints. Not a great life really. South America might be a better bet.

I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.

reply

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

I thought of Weather Underground, but they were a different kind of case because they had a whole network of political sympathizers who took them in, gave them money, medical services, et cetera.

--------
See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

reply

[–] knifeparty2004 10 years ago

I think it would be easily possible, if you were pretty meticulous about. The problem is most fugitives end up repeat offending because they miss the easy money from committing crimes but if you wanted to avoid prison that badly, I think it wouldn´t be that hard to work as a farmhand somewhere in the middle of nowhere and you could get away undetected. I always thought, if I ever got wrongfully convicted of a crime, I would go on the lam because I know I wouldn´t survive in prison.

reply

[–] HOKfilms 10 years ago

you're better off moving to a different country and starting new.

I <3 Emily Blunt

reply

[–] AfroGeek 10 years ago

Yes, Alaska is full of people who ran from prosecution.

Amy: I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!

reply

[–] frankduxvandamme 9 years ago

Lots of Nazi war criminals successfully ran away. Here's a list of the most wanted ones:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Most_Wanted_Nazi_War_Criminals_according_to_the_Simon_Wiesenthal_Center

reply

[–] jaystarstar 9 years ago

You'd have to follow the advice of Monty's dad and find someone who could cook you up a fake ID and SS number. That would allow you to get a bank account, get paid by paycheck and get a drivers license.

Such people do exist in the world. However, the process of trying to find one would probably be about the riskiest thing you could do as a federal fugitive.

================

4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

reply

[–] ruffian82 8 years ago

Thanks for starting a thread on this.

It's something I've thought about enough to fill a book, and probably more than one person has written one already on this subject.

So many movies had this as part of the plot: Someone has moved somewhere to start a new life.

Sometimes they succeed.
Sometimes they bring whatever "tragic flaw" they had with them, affect the lives of the people encountered in that new place.

Endless variations happen...

Here's my point:

I really regret that we can't do this anymore.

I understand there are monsters we don't want to lose track of, and abduction victims praying to be found.

That's a big reason to keep track of someone and yet it bothers me that one can't just...start over anymore.

reply

[–] EddieAdamsFromTorrance 8 years ago

But you can just start over, just don't make it so that the FBI and DEA are trying to find you.

"Lord have mercy, father help us all"

reply

[–] ruffian82 8 years ago

Oh yes, of course that is totally right!

I mean the old days when people just:

-changed their name
-dyed their hair
-got a new Social Sec. #
-got a new DL

It's a lot harder to disappear these days.

Now it appears this way:

One has to go off the grid and that is a whole subculture of its own.

(survivalist societies, etc.)
or
(real, nasty, tough fugitives that one isn't looking to get chummy with)
or...

Try People Search....I know someone who's been hiding for years...P.S. and U.S. Gov't had same contact #.

Person disappeared again next day...but who knows how far that ripple spread?

reply

[–] redban (5281) 3 years ago

My speculation:

He's a first-time drug offender, which means he's low-level. I don't think the police will undertake a massive manhunt for him. The police would definitely ask Monty's friends and family, especially the father. However, only the father can say where Norton was, and he would never tell.

Ultimately, all the police might do is issue a warrant for Norton's arrest that will pop-up whenever he uses his social security, driver's license, or other similar documents. So long as Norton doesn't use those documents, the police wouldn't be able to trace him. Thus, he gets away?

The problem is how can he survive without ever using those documents. He would have to find an employer that pays cash & doesn't ask questions (tough). He would need to find a landlord that won't ask questions too. If he wants to drive, get a bank account, etc. then he'd have to find the right people (tough).

reply