Fresh Concrete / Boys On Bikes = Charges, Court

[matcom]

<snip>

Kids on bikes. Freshly poured, wet concrete.

You know what happens next.

But it's what happened after April 30, 2003, when nearly $10,000 in damage was done to a Chesterfield Township home under construction, that has people questioning the quality of justice in Macomb County Family Court.

A 10-year-old boy on an electric scooter, who police believe caused most of the damage, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of malicious destruction of property worth less than $1,000, a felony.

The boy's plea, in which he did not admit guilt, was taken under advisement by a family court referee who will dismiss the case if he stays out of trouble for a year. The boy was ordered to pay a $20 victims-rights fee and $100 in court costs. He may have to pay restitution later.

A younger boy, Tabarri Waller, then 8, also was charged with malicious destruction of property worth $1,000 to $20,000, also a felony. His parents have rejected any plea deal, saying that he's innocent.

http://www.freep.com/news/locmac/charge16_20040616.htm

[NashVegas]

1. No Thugs in Our House

Are there, dear?

[electricmonk]

2. Similar case here a few years ago

Except all the kid did was write his name in the concrete and it was just a plain old sidewalk that if you walked through the neighborhood you would probably see dozens of other names from over the years. This time a busy-body neighbor turned him in though and he had to do some community service. I forget how old he was but I think 10 give or take.

[Xithras]

3. He's only in court because they REFUSE to settle.

I have to agree with this line from the homes builder: I guess I'm a little disappointed in the way the parents treated this," Mattera said. "In my day, parents would come over, apologize and take care of the bill." When I was a kid (about 10), I once threw some rocks at a neighbors home in anger, breaking two windows. The police were called, but there were no charges...my parents forced me to apologize, they paid for the windows, and then made me do all of the yardwork and paint our fences the rest of the summer in order to pay them back.

Neither this kid or his parents deny what happened, but they are trying to dodge blame because it wasn't "as bad" as what the other kid did. That's a hell of a lesson for a parent to teach a kid...you can dodge your responsibilities by fighting them in court, and then whine to the local paper to make yourself look like the victim.
:eyes:

[Loonman]

4. I'm so old

I'm so old, I remember when parents used to take the teacher's side against you.

Now they just call the frickin' lawyer.