We're forced to pick and choose

"The law is not real clear. There is no specific prohibition against aiding a convicted felon in his efforts to violate the terms of his parole. But it's still against the law. The applicable code section deals with obstruction of justice, which is a huge net for a lot of behavior that would otherwise be difficult to classify. By driving Boyette out of this jurisdiction, and with the knowledge that it was a violation of his parole, you violated the law." "How serious?" Matthew shrugged, grimaced, stirred his coffee with a spoon. "It's a felony, but not a serious one. And it's not the type of violation that we get excited about." "We?" Dana asked. "As in prosecutors. The district attorney would have jurisdiction, a different office. I'm with the city." "A felony?" Keith asked. "Probably. It appears that your trip to Texas has gone unnoticed here in Topeka. You managed to avoid the cameras, and I have yet to see your name in print." "But you know about it, Matthew," Dana said. "I do, and I suppose that, technically, I'm expected to inform the police, to turn you in. But it doesn't work that way. We can process only so much crime. We're forced to pick and choose. This is not a violation that any prosecutor would want to deal with." "But Boyette is a famous guy right now," Dana said. "It's just a matter of time before a reporter here picks up on the story. He jumped parole, took off to Texas, and we've seen his face for three days now." "Yes, but who can link Keith to Boyette?" "Several folks in Texas," Keith said. "True, but I doubt if they care what happens here. And these folks are on our side, right?" "I guess." "So, who can make the link? Did anyone see you with Boyette?" "What about the guy at the halfway house?" Dana asked.