Do you think children ages 10 to 16 should be charged if they break the law?

Question

If your child is bullying someone and causes physical harm are they responsible or are the parents? Should they be charged with assault? What if they are bullying in school and hurting other children? I see punks on the streets these days and I do admin in a youth probation office and they stuff I read just baffles me. Should the parents be held responisble for letting there 10 year old roam the streets? Should the kids be charged with uttering threats, theft, assault? Kids are getting worse these days and it seems to me that if the parents stepped up to the plate and did something about it, streets would be safer. What is your opinion. Please keep in mind when they turn 18, their jeuvinille record is erased. They get a clean slate.

Answer 1

Yes to both your questions! Kids should be held accountable for the crimes they commit when they have reached the age of accountability ( varies with State ) The courts will determine if an individual child is not at the age of accountability even though old enough to be prosecuted. Most of these minor crimes are diverted from prosecution and sanctions are established as part of the diversion which must be adheared to or prosecution will happen on defalt.
As to the Parents Yes! They too need to be held accountable for what their under 18 yoa children are doing. They are already subject to civil suit for any thing the child does! Many do not understand this but should. They would be more watchful.
Our area has established Parential Responsibility Laws which open the door for officers to write tickets to parents when their children are out late at night with no specific legal task to accomplish. Some courts have over turned some of the laws but many are still being used. Some courts have also prosecuted parents for their involvment in their childs crimes such as furnishing alcohol to the child who drunk drives and kills some one. It is reckless to leave unsupervised children alone with cars and alcohol. Mostly it just takes involvment on the part of the parent into the life of the child in an ongoing basis from birth to adulthood to eliminate most of the problems. If we teach correct principals our children will generally follow them as they grow older with proper supervision.

Answer 2

Punishing the parents for something their child does only teaches the child that someone else will suffer the consequences of something they do. I thin charging a child is the way to go to teach them responsibility for their own actions, especially if the parents didn't do so while they were growing to the age they are. A 10 year old knows right from wrong. They know bullying is wrong, stealing is wrong, making threats is wrong, assault is wrong; you get the idea. Just because they are "only 10" (or insert appropriate age) doesn't mean they shouldn't be held accountable. And why even ask about a 16 year old? There are many 16 year olds out there with jobs and school, along with other activities who keep their grades up and respect the law. 16 year olds definitely know what's right and wrong. Kids are only getting worse and worse because parents are afraid to punish their kids or don't like to see their children cry so they don't punish. It's a form of abuse not to correct a child.

Answer 3

I agree with you, parents need to step up to the plate. Parents need to know where their kids are at all times. I know nobody is perfect, but i bet you that parents that make the attempt have kids walking a straighter line then those who don't.

I have 3 girls, only one who fits this age bracket (a 10 year old), even though I know she's not the type, if I found out she was bullying, picking on, or threatening someone I'd spank her little bottom good. She knows this, her dad and I don't put up with this type of behavior. Some might say she is to old to spank, I would disagree, I still find it as the most effective punishment for major offenses. I will punish the same until she is around 12, maybe 13.

Since I don't have a 13 to 16 year old, I'd probably do something like empty everything ( TVs, bed frame, dressers, all their stuff) out their room leave only a mattress. She would then have to earn it back one by one. Then again I am not their yet, so I can't say for sure, but one thing is for certain - I WILL DO SOMETHING.

I know your talking about worst case scenarios, since my oldest is a very good girl (sure she has her ups and downs) I can't imagine having to worry about these types of problems. All and all though, I thank you for letting us know what is out there and what to look for.

Answer 4

When they turn 18, their juvenile record is erased.... But they don't get a clean slate. They have spent a certain % of their lives locked up with other kids who are not the best influences to have around.

The parents should be responsible, but to what degree? The multi-millionaire business man needs to go to prison because his 13 yr old son is dealing crack in middle school? Yes he could have done a better job raising his kid, but is being a bad parent something we need to lock people up for?

Truthfully there needs to be a different approach then today's system of justice. I use the term justice, but really the word justice could be replaced with revenge. Today's news is full of articles about victims finding solace at the verdict and incarceration of their assailants. Justice was served.... or revenge was served....

To take a 10 yr old and lock him away without the presence of a loving and caring family to watch over him and show him the difference between right and wrong is as evil as the crime he could have committed. Unfortunately one only has to look at the foster care system to understand that taking children away from the influences that are causing the difficulties and placing them with volunteer families is not going to work.

So, if a child between 10 and 16 is charged with a crime, but is not incarcerated, and at 18 has his slate wiped clean.... then why charge him in the first place?

Answer 5

I do think the parents should be charged. Maybe with child neglect or something. If you can't control your bad kids, then of course it's partially your fault too, but I do also think the child should be charged. And I don't think your juvenile record should be erased when you're 18. That's just like telling them to go out and do whatever you want, but only til u turn 18. Kids are horrible, I have two, but neither of them in school yet, but I can't imagine letting them get away with the stuff kids do these days

Answer 6

yes they should be charged and when they turn 18 yrs old the record they have should remain active -not erased. the parents should also take responsibility of their children - but in todays society it takes both parents working to live and support bills.-thus-the parents are not home to do their duties when raising the children - or did the children learn these actions from parents - and if so then there are places these kids can be put until they change their ways and want to become part of society.
social workers are not always told the truth so evaluation can be delt with in the proper channels. too many lies out there today.

Answer 7

Yes, they should be charged with assault, They should be dismissed from school if they are doing it at school, Yes, parents should be held responsible for letting their 10-year-old roam the streets, And yes they should be held responsible for thrats, theft and assaults.

Answer 8

I think the parents should be held responsibel, but the children should also be punished in a harsher manner than they are now. How will they lear if they get off easily. Also, I see no reason as to why their record should be erased...

Answer 9

I think both the kids AND their parents should be taken to task. Compulsory parenting classes or jail! That might make then take more responsibility for their brats instead of letting them run wild.

Answer 10

Yes I think they - and their parents - should be held accountable for the actions of these little ***wits. How can they get let off because they are under age?