A Big Dirty is a large crime with a big payoff, usually large enough that you don't have to commit any more crimes, or at least not any big enough to land you behind bars
Pros:
- Large Payoff all at once
A lump sum of money is always nice, and it's instant gratification - Less time involved
There's the planning stage, but actual work involved is less time intensive, meaning you have more time to do other things like enjoy that large payout - Less people involved
Cons:
- Higher potential of jail time
Because you are committing a bigger crime, there's more risk of jail or a longer jail sentence - More infamy
It's nearly impossible to commit a big crime without someone finding out about it and you becoming known for that crime, which could lead to retaliation or arrest depending on how credible the details are - Negative reward
You end up getting a large payoff for doing something that you shouldn't be doing, so you may end up becoming a career criminal.
Small Crimes
Small crimes are just that, small crimes that won't lead to jail time, usually a payable ticket
Pros
- Little potential for jail time
Usually it's a payable ticket, so at worst you get some things taken that are easily replaceable - Slow steady source of income
Small crimes are usually pretty reliable in terms of payoff. You'll usually make a pretty consistent amount selling weed, or selling scrap, et cetera
- Really hard pressed to think of any.