However, as individuals we can still decide that our code of ethics precludes us from involving the state in matters of petty crime, if we think the state's response may be disproportionately harsh.

If we think the state is incorrect to classify marijuana was a class I drug, the same as heroine, for example, we have every right to make our own judgement about whether to report every pot smoker to the police.

Sometimes, depending on the alleged crime, people may have very real fears that bringing in the state may have lethal consequences. In America, many black people are more hesitant to call the cops, because of excessive risks to the petty criminal, or even to themselves. Here's a homeowner who decided to call the cops who ended up shot, because the cops appeared to assume that any black man emerging from the house must be the criminal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/2...

The point is, we could all be robots and always trust the state to deal with every issue correctly, or we could decide occasionally to trust our own morals and code of ethics, and use our own discretionary powers when deciding what to report.