Prosecuting Juveniles

[Merika]

As most of you know......my son got in a lot of trouble last October when he and a couple of other kids decided to break into an elementary school. Granted, my son stood look out and didn't actually enter or do the vandalism....but he did sell the stolen property. In addition, they did this two nights in a row!

These kids were charged with 3 misdemeanors and 2 felonies including Grand Theft due to the $4000 worth of damage to the room and property (including a lap top computer).

Each of these kids were put in a 'program' which, when completed, the DA will not file charges against them. Their records will show an arrest....but no prosecution.

I'm glad for my son......but to be honest......I find it to be the most preposterous thing I've ever heard. What kind of message is this possibly giving other kids......all of who know what happened. The 'case worker' even felt my son's curfew of 7:00 pm was a bit too harsh. I don't. He can bring his happy A$$ home at 7:00 PM from now till Jesus comes as far as I'm concerned. He's TWELVE.....not like he has a job!

The only people who paid a price in all this was the parents who have $100 a month to pay in restitution and carting those kids around for their pat-on-the-head therapy sessions.

I get tired of society makes excuses for these kids. I don't make excuses for my son. He was not at the wrong place at the wrong time....he made a BAD DECISION and needs to pay the price for it.

:bitching:

[darkangelism]

Kids should be prosecuted for stuff, i almost was, for something i didnt do, but its better that they tried and failed then let somebody get away with it.

[Fayebelle]

When I was 16 I was given an underage drinking citation

When I went in I was offered 40hrs community service or a verbal agreement between my mom and the caseworker that I wouldn't drive for 6months

My guy friend- same age picked up at the same time was offered 100hrs or 1yr suspension thru the DMV- same caseworker and everything

I thought it was odd- wonder if it was a male/female thing- like boys are more apt to be trouble later????

[Merika]

Grades and school attendance can have a lot to do with it. My son is in gifted and is doing 6th/7th at the same time. There was no reason to think it would be better for him to be in a jail situation....which I certainly agreed with. I think they should be stricter in dealing with it though.....if even on a house arrest situation.

Even though....after seeing jail....I have to admit my son totally changed. He's been a great kid compared to the smart alleck he was before it happened.

[Star]

the youth laws are way too lenient IMO. My daughter knows her way around the legal system and unfortunately, a lot of kids do which is why they keep getting a slap on the wrist for crimes they commit. The justice system does not teach our children that there are consequences to their actions nor does it teach them to have any kind of responsibility or own up to what they have done wrong.

I've always said that if the kid is old enough to commit the crime, then he/she is old enough to face the punishment. These kids are going to grow up to be criminal adults and still think they can get away with it. They will commit bigger crimes by that time. that's the scary part!

I am very happy that your son has learned his lesson and has changed his ways. That's awesome! Unfortunately, there aren't too many kids out there that learn anything from getting into trouble with the law. YOur son is an exeption and you should be very proud of him for that.

I've gone to court many times for my daughter and I can't believe all the kids that are there every single day of the week. Kids everywhere in the courthouse! It's really sad. the system's a joke.

[Merika]

The only advantage with Sn00py is that he is still young enough to be scared of the system. If he were older.....he may have a different perspective of it.

When he had his arraignment....there were at least 40 (FORTY) kids in the one courtroom. I was amazed!!!

[Star]

Krystal was 13 when we had her arrested for uttering deadly threats. She pulled a knife on me and stabbed my microwave that day. She wouldn't of used it on me or anyone else, it was just a thing she did to try and scare us. show us that she's tough or something. my parents were over and couldn't believe what they were witnessing of thier first born grand-daughter. We had already been having problems with her so we thought if we called the Police and had her arrested, she'd spend a day in jail that maybe she'd be so scared that she'd stop all of her stupidity but nope! It didn't scare her at all. she had absolutely no respect for the officers or anyone. She was a total stranger that I didn't know. She went to court, got probation, lived with us and started all over again in a matter of a weeks time.

You have a good boy there merika. You have a son who cares about his future. I think that's where the difference lies. Krystal doesn't care about anything but getting to do what she wants. she doesn't care about hurting her family or anyone for that matter. she just doesn't care about anything. Your son does care about everything. You're very lucky.

[Merika]

Did you see signs of problems when she was younger or did it just show up after she entered puberty? It's hard to believe a child would just be so destructive to her own life when she could be enjoying a great one.

[Star]

she was a very happy go lucky little girl that would never leave my side. very lovable, huggable and full of joy. She would always want to help her daddy work in the yard, help me cook and clean, just a very happy normal little girl. She turned into this alien that I didn't know when she was almost 13. it's been downhill from there.

she still tells me that she loves me everytime she sees me or talks to me on the phone. even when i'm balling her out, she still says it to me. She's lost herself somewhere along the way and I don't think she knows how to find her way back right now. Were here trying to show her but she's blind to it. She'll have to outgrow this. I just hope she does outgrow this!

[Merika]

I assume they've tested her for any hormonal embalances which can accompany puberty?

Isis has times when she is very frustrated and takes it out on me.....but I know that it's because she is upset over her Dad most of the time. It would be so hard going thru what you are without some event or situation as you can pinpoint as being the turning point.

[Star]

they've tested her for absolutely everything. nothing is wrong with her. it's all her attitude and behaviour, her way of thinking.

Kassandra's starting to show signs of puberty. Her attitude at times really sucks but all I need to do is let her know how she's behaving and how she sounds then she stops. Sometimes kids don't realize how they sound and it helps to mimic them so they know. Kassandra's the normal teen. I can handle that. no problem. been there myself many moons ago. LOL!

I've always told myself that I have to never forget what it was like to be a teenager and I never have forgotten. It does help me a lot where kassandra is concerned. She comes to me with her problems and we talk about them and try to find a solution together. I did the same thing with krystal too but krystal is different.

kassandra is honest about everything. krystal is sneaky, coniving, manipulative, lyer and dishonest. She also has her qualities but they're very hard to focus on these days. Krystal and kassandra are like night and day. totally different. funny how you raise your kids with the same morals and values then one holds what you've taught close to their hearts and protects it and the other doesn't give a crap about any of it. goes to show that you really don't know how your kids will turn out until you get to that point.

Hopefully by the time she's 30, she'll be all grown up, mature and responsible. I can only hope.

[darkangelism]

well whatever it is, you seem to have tried everything you can.