Realistically it is a crime to be poor.

In a democratic  society as we have today why do we choose to penalize the poor? A poor man is sent to jail for stealing a fowl  not that it is right  for him to steal but he had no money to hire a lawyer to fight his case so he is punished for being poor. While others go unpunished for stealing billions of public money,fraud and murder.
So a poor man's situation is the case of the animal farm.  

The poor are being marginalized,unlike in the developed society all the social amenities are available which makes  It easier to get a job and work and make a living and get the basics of life. but in Nigeria the poor are denied their own share of what also rightfully belongs to them. Government policies benefits only the rich the few meant for the poor is being hijacked by corrupt individuals in government. 

What a pity... As far back as I can remember only Jesus fought for the poor. 

The poor has no voice. 

My assumption.     being poor is a crime,if not poor people will not be treated in such degrading manner as individuals and government do. 

Let me say the simplest way I can define poor.  It is ‘lacking of means to meet basic human needs’.

I am not aware of any country that has criminalized individual or household poverty. In any case, it will be very difficult to make being poor a crime because it is relative, comparative and a function of geographical
location, that is how I see the system works especially in Nigeria and among black people.

I am not poor by local standards where I live, but I would easily fit into the “poor” category the moment I attempt living my previledged, two bed room apartment in Ibadan Oyo State Nigerian and move to Lekki in Lagos Nigeria.
 Living in a rented or personal house in lekki is a wild dream for me at this moment.

The answer to the basic question is that it is not a crime to be poor. In other words, it is highly unlikely that you will be charged anywhere in the world for being poor,but poor are treated like criminals.

Is it shameful to be poor? A big YES.....

When you are considered poor you are definitely looked down upon, regardless of what people or the religious books tell you.
The immediate and commonest view is that you are lazy, lacking in initiative, irrational in your choices, and just plain...you are on your own.

Very few people, other than those from the caste system, will sympathize with you on the basis of ‘destiny’. By being poor you forgo choices and you matter very little in opinion.

Your family won't let you know in words of their disapproval of your status, but trust me given an opportunity they will express it in so many other ways. It is definitely not an “OK” thing.  Your opinion and suggestions is ignored. In fact their actions will tell you they despise you for being poor.

If the assumption is that we all have a chance within our societies or communities to have the means to meeting our basic needs, then failure should be shameful. Life is not a zero-sum game, there is an opportunity for everyone. Without being sentimental, what explains the reasons for someone failing to make a decent living?

Truthfully, the only time when being poor makes sense is when you are talking to a fellow poor individual. Poor people complaining about the system or when a bunch of poor countries are at a big summit discussing their state of poverty.

No rational person would understand or consider being poor as an acceptable status. It is very difficult to defend being poor if there are others who are not poor within the same society or geographical space. Then why the ' poor' exception.
Some people are really enterprising and hard working..but nothing to show for it. Family and society will  not pity them for failing.

Still,  is it a crime to be poor?. Who should be regarded as poor. Should they blame their enemies, or the witches in their family  village and house hold ...or the sins of fathers and mothers. God bless the poor.