if you can't do the time, don't do the crime

if you can't do the time, don't do the crime

Do not misbehave if you are unprepared or unwilling to accept the punishment. A: "Dad, I can't be grounded for a month, I need to see my friends!" B: "Yeah, well, you're the one who keeps breaking curfew. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!"
See also: crime, if
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • actual
  • grounded in (actual) fact
  • grounded in fact
  • volunteer
  • army volunteer
  • go wrong
  • get off easy
  • out of trim
  • keep out of trouble
  • capish