*Torrents isnt the trouble. The trouble lies in people using DC++, thats where u get caught as anyone can see the IP on people uploading. Its not that dangerous to download stuff, the danger lies in uploading, as u are sharing with others.
Mostly torrents are still a bit of grey zone, its hard to proove what u are sharing and to whom.
Ive been VIP on piratebay from 2005 to 2009, not that I DL there now but I never got anything, been member of bitsoup for over 403 weeks plus that I share that account with an old American friend. (from my first US clan)
Best way to get away using torrents is to turn off DHT.