Most crimes that the convicts committed are only minor offences in this day and age. Such crimes like petty theft were considered major offences and people were sent to prison. So most of the people on the first fleet were there for the most ridiculous reasons like stealing bread. If one was to commit the crime of rape or murder they would be sentenced to death. Once they reached Australia, and were released from their sentence, they were arrested again very quickly. This was because the local authority took control and made whatever they wanted a crime. This included being rude, disrespectful, swearing, drinking, being pregnant and even having their hands in their pockets!