Plot and gameplay segregation

Quite some time ago, I showed Oblivion being weird. Here's an example of Skyrim being weird!

Hey, look, some guards want me to go to jail for purposes of plot. I don't feel the need to oblige. Pyrotechnics ensue, but I'm better. After the dust has settled, the game tells me my bounty is gone because I killed all the witnesses. Phew, that's good to know. Now I need some fresh air...

What's this? More guards wanting to haul me to jail? Of course I didn't do it. I even got rid of all the witnesses, the game told me... oh.