I have obtained a copy of Just Busted

by Tracy

Or, come on, somebody had to look into this

Just Busted Dec 29th edition front page

Just Busted Dec 29th edition front page

My husband picked this up for me from Mapco last week. You know what the main benefit to being married to me is besides all the food experiments? Getting to go out and buy trashy periodicals that your wife is too embarrassed to be seen buying.  In my defense, I usually have 2-4 small children with me and it really isn’t seemly to be buying such things while your children are running around like Tasmanian devils at the checkout. I don’t even like to buy soda or cookies when I’m out with them and they are in such a mood because I can just feel people behind us giving each other knowing looks and nodding.

I wonder how they pick the mugshots to put on the front page? I picture a smokey room with one of those old timey light tables and a bunch of slides and a couple of grizzled old timey newspaper guys wearing suspenders and smoking cigars while they try to get the right balance of pretty young things to wild eyed PCP users.

Just Busted Ad

Just Busted Ad

One of the things I like to do when flipping through a new publication is note the advertisers. It can tell you a lot about who their readers are. This ad makes sense even though it cracked me up how it was plunked right down in the middle of the wall of arrested folks on the front page.

Just Busted Ad

Just Busted Ad

Um, yeah, it’s good to know you don’t need a title to get cash for your junk cars. I am intrigued by Lou Jacks and their promise of tender and tasty food and might make a visit even though every time I go down Winchester Rd I swear never again because people just plain forget how to drive the minute they turn on to it. Memphis people, you know what I mean, right?

Just Busted Ad

Just Busted Ad

It’s good to be reminded that redemption is possible. It would have been nice if they’d included a coupon like Lou Jacks. $25 is a lot of money to come to Jesus!

Holiday Drunk Tank

Holiday Drunk Tank

They had seasonal features like the Holiday Drunk Tank.

Sex Offenders Near Grahamwood Elementary School

Sex Offenders Near Grahamwood Elementary School

I pictured this being read by Chris Hansen, sort of like this: They are ALL, however, registered SEX offenders. Something interesting I noticed, most of the arrests for prostitution were “prostitution near church/school”. I think there was just one plain prostitution arrest. I didn’t notice this distinction with any other crimes. I wonder if there is any difference in sentence? Does this apply to Temples and Mosques, too?

A couple of people were also charged with “Initiation Meth Manufacture Process” but nobody seemed to have made it up to step 2 of Meth Manufacturing Process. I guess it’s good they are catching them at the beginning of the process.

Just Busted Cash Reward

Just Busted Cash Reward

This guy seems like he stepped out of a 1970s era blaxploitation flick. I hope they catch him, assuming he is guilty. When you call in a crime stoppers, do you just go and pick up a bag of cash money? Or do they give you a blank check? I admit, besides getting dangerous felons off the streets, I’ve always wanted to call in a tip to crime stoppers so I could solve this mystery.

Fun Fact!

Fun Fact!

It wasn’t all grime and crime, there were little nuggets of information scattered throughout the paper.

Just Busted Giveaway

Just Busted Giveaway

Oh come on, that’s just some crass, lacking in couth shit there. Plus, I can’t find the fake one although I hope it’s “pedestrian soliciting ride/business”. What, you can’t ask  a fellow citizen for a ride any more? What kind of business? Any business? Be specific, you can’t charge people with these frustratingly vague charges!

I wonder if they run the contest as a kindness, to give those pictured in the paper an out. “Oh no, I wasn’t arrested. Ha! I was the fake mug shot. I can’t believe you didn’t pick up on that. Oh what a riot! Make sure you send it in for the drawing. I hope you win! Oh man, wait until I tell the guys you thought I was really in Just Busted. Classic!”

All in all I have to say this is a publication without much redeeming value. I’d wager most people don’t go into committing a crime thinking they’ll be caught or are in a position where they aren’t thinking clearly (drug addiction, impulsive acts of anger) and the prospect of embarrassment isn’t much of a deterrent at the moment where they are making the decision to commit a crime. I don’t really feel bad for the people involved, if they are guilty, but it just doesn’t seem to be in the best of taste. I won’t buy it again now that my curiosity is satisfied. Too much like watching Jenny Jones. You like it while it’s on, but after you feel somewhat filthy and subhuman.

P.S. I did not find my prosti-ganger in there. I bet she was just Asian and didn’t even look like me. Pabo cop.

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  • http://walloftrance.blogspot.com/ Trance

    hmmm nice post really
    thx a lot for this article
    .-= Trance´s last blog ..M.I.K.E. Plastic Boy – Aquarius (Original Mix) =-.

  • dana

    like the comment! nobody is perfect! but advertising for the whole world to see is a little much! everyone out there has broken the law once or twice unless your the pope!! everyone is innocent until proven guilty-but judging by this paper your automatically guilty so why embarrass the person even more, their time is coming in court! someone just trying to make an extra buck by embarrassing people w/this newspaper–guarantee they been busted before

  • jonathan tyler shadwick

    i like my picture but i went to jail cause the police of hamilton county officer myers came to my house and took me to jail cause he said he seen me driving aint it bs

  • Techie

    One word – EXPLOITATION – use or utilization, esp. for profit.

  • http://www.ihatemymessageboard.com/ Tracy O'Connor

    Yes, that's exactly what I'd call it, too.

  • Denise

    Renee I wonderf if you have ever sped while driving down the road with your four children in the car? I wonder if you have ever gone through a yellow light while driving with your four children in the car? I wonder if you have ever made a U turn or rolled through a stop sign…. all of these events are BREAKING THE LAW! So , maybe we should check the records and post your picture for be citied for a speeding violation? In addition, STOP STEALING FROM YOUR EMPLOYER…. since you and your co-workers read it at work, and maybe you should try a different bedtime story with your children instead of reading this publication when getting your four children ready for bed!

  • Denise

    Renee I wonderf if you have ever sped while driving down the road with your four children in the car? I wonder if you have ever gone through a yellow light while driving with your four children in the car? I wonder if you have ever made a U turn or rolled through a stop sign…. all of these events are BREAKING THE LAW! So , maybe we should check the records and post your picture for be citied for a speeding violation? In addition, STOP STEALING FROM YOUR EMPLOYER…. since you and your co-workers read it at work, and maybe you should try a different bedtime story with your children instead of reading this publication when getting your four children ready for bed!

  • Guest

    I have never had so much as a parking ticket. A 120 lb. woman, I was falsely accused of domestic violence by a 240 lb. man, who was upset with me after I would not sleep with him on our one and only date. I have learned, in the state of Tennessee a citizen can have another arrested with no proof whatsoever. So although the charges were immediately dismissed and my record expunged, I could show up in the next issue of “Just Busted”, and if so, will likely lose my career, home, and reputation. Although my legal fight was immediately taken care of, I have to worry about this rag magazine slandering me after I have been cleared. BTW- My employer was made aware aware of the false charges/charge dismissal/expultion from my record (which took about 5 minutes in front of the judge), and have been supportive so far. However, I feel my appearance in “Just Busted” would likely change their supportive stance. The stalker who filed the false charges has a history of doing this to other women, and does not have to face any charges for lying about the accusations and making my life hell. This is not so in all states, but a horrible flaw in Tennessee law.

  • lulu

    does everyone get put in here or do they randomly select? and if you arent put in the week following the arrest, could they do it later? do they only put people that are still in jail in the paper? or every single arrest made the week prior to publishing it?

  • guest

    so if you have a small offense like a traffic violation, is there a way to pay these people out or something?

    • http://ihatemymessageboard.com Tracy

      Hi, I’m not sure. I think the publishers draw from the publicly available arrest records and by the time you’re in the paper, it’s too late. They don’t seem to have online archives of the paper available, which is a plus. They also don’t seem to post information about traffic tickets and fines that don’t result in an arrest.

  • shadowmaker

    you can get an online archive free @ bustedmagazineonline.com or chattanoogabusted.com

  • http://www.northwestshootersupply.com/ammocansandstorage.aspx Sabrina

    Yes, I agree. I think this is a form of exploitation. Getting arrested should not warrant much public embarrassment such as this (although I might add that not too many people are fans of this kind of paper).

  • http://www.niceable.com Ronald Wears Nike

    These are hilarious! i always see these magazines in the check out aisle and never buy them. I think I might start!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1124728026 Mary Ramsey Keasler

    Sleazy does not begin to describe this rag. What about innocent until proven guilty, unlawful arrests, slander of one’s name, the list can go on forever. I agree with “freedom of press” but this hag is just out to make a buck, irregardless of whose name that she might drag through the mud.

  • John

    I noticed the Just Busted newspaper has a “disclaimer” at the bottom front page stating that “all content in Just Busted is deemed to be in the public domain” and on and on about public domain and info being obtained from public records. Well, I think that’s fine. However, while the photos may be from public records, that does NOT give the legal right to someone to copy those photos and publish without a MODEL RELEASE especially when the copying and publishing is done for profit by a private company. I don’t know, it might just be a matter of time when Just Busted is going to find themselves slapped with a major class action lawsuit. Anyway, as a professional photographer I know it is very important to always get a model release before I publish a person’s picture anywhere.

    • Kurt Martin

      John, isn’t this a version of a newspaper?  Isn’t it “news” that these people got arrested? I think there’s an exception to the principles of tort law (invasion of privacy) and contract law (model / photographer relationship) for newspapers and other news media.  The First Amendment’s protections are strongest for this type of  publication.  That they’re a profit-making business doesn’t matter. They’re still gathering news, reformatting it into a more  user-friendly and fun way, and spreading the news (while it’s still timely). First Amendment and Freedom of the Press trumps the suspects’ privacy rights here.

  • Guest
  • Xzxeddiexzx

    The fact that charges could be dropped prior to a fair hearing or a case of mistaken identity.

    This a defamation of character, slander and a violation of civil liberties and fundamental constitutional rights under federal laws.

    This is in no way legal and the publisher and editor will be prosecuted accordingly.

  • Lane Rikki

    I think if you pray on other peoples issues than you open the door up for failer ,why not make a paper of people who has made it in this world not the ones who has been put in jail ! We are no better than them people so when we buy a paper like that what does that say about us! dont stop at that go and buy a playboy or a nasty book and lay around your house why not the same negative thing!!!!!!!!! buy the way the reason the guy who started the paper has a very very nasty pass so when you buy that paper you are helping one who has more issues than anyone in that paper ps when he was arrested in 91 they had to put him by his self so the other inmates wouldnt kill him if you know what i mean!!!!!!!

  • Shagmanjug

    I promise I will not stop until I find out where she lives and post it for everyone to see. It spublic information. You just have to know where to look. See how she likes that.

  • Brian

    There is not a disclaimer on there website!!!

  • Wade massey

    wade massey @ LIVE.COM  615 530-4374 CELL   I WAS ARRESTED FOR MARIJUNIA AND I WAS IN JUST BUSTED PAPER FOR  AGRERVATED BURGURLY UNDER STICKY FINGERS OF THE WEEK. I WAS FIRED FROM MY JOB AND HAS TO MAVE ABOUT OF STATE. THIS PAPER TOLD EVERYBODY IN NASHVLLIE TENN THAT I WILL BREAK IN HOME AND STEAL WHAT THAEY WORKED ALL THERE LIVES TO HAVE .IT WRONG I KNOW IT WRONG THEY LAUGH  AND THEY HAD  HAVE THERE FUN ON THE EXSPENSE OF MY EMOTIONS AND LIFE.NOW I WHAT WHAT WRONG RIGHT LIKE $$$ AND ADS SAYING FOR 6 MONTH WADE MASSEY IS A POT SMOKER NOT A BURGULAR.. CALL SOME ONE HELP ME GET A LAWYER I WILL GIVE YOU 1/2 OF THE SETTLEMENT

  • Kurt Martin

    I write a weekly column about criminal law for Just Busted News– the version that is distributed in north Georgia and parts of Tennessee and North Carolina bordering Georgia to the north.
    It makes sense to advertise and promote your legal practice where people needing your services will be browsing (or their friends and family will be browsing for them) after they get arrested. And for  the people who aren’t charged with anything and don’t know anybody who is, at least we know they have an interest in criminal law, police activities, etc.  So they might be a source of referrals.  Yes, everybody is supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. And the paper has this reminder in every edition. I did an article about that very subject a month ago.  Arrests are easy and sometimes happen without good supporting evidence. Keep buying the paper. It’s always an interesting read.  (And some of the pictures are amazing, too. Some people just don’t “look like” criminal defendants, but others look like they’re guilty of everything they’re charged with and most of the stuff everybody else on that page is charged with too!)

  • Guest

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