Should a parent go to jail if their child destroys a neighbors property?

Question

Our son was spending the night at his friends house. I had called the other boys guardian, before hand, to make sure it was o.k. for my son to spend the night and to make sure the guardian would be home to watch them. It turns out the guardian left the two 13 year old boys unattended for most of the night. They destroyed $9,000 dollars worth of our neighbors property. Two years later the judge wants me to come up with $4500 within 4 days or spend 30 days in jail. This doesn't seem fair to me since I didn't do anything wrong, and my son was in someone elses care at the time he commited the damage.

Answer 1

Wow, I guess you are still responsible for your son's actions regardless of who was supervising him. That really stinks, but I think that there is little accountability in the world today. You should have your son pay you back as soon as he is able. Then he will understand what it is like to have to pay for something.

Answer 2

It is a most absurd perversion of justice that an innocent person is punished for something someone else did wrong.

But it happens all the time, as when a teacher punishes the whole class for what one student did wrong, or when a dorm fines everyone for *some* people not living up to their responsibilities.


I can understand you as his father being somewhat responsible for the damages, but for you to go to jail because you cannot or will not pay up, the judge ordering that has no sense of justice whatsoever - it should be a civil case purely, and not relegated to the criminal system - besides, the fact that the guardian left his responsibilities should definitely be a mitigating factor.


There are so many judges now who do not have a brain in their head (or pass their judgements maliciously - one or the other), given the absurd and unjust judgements many of them pass.



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Answer 3

I know laws suck but it's the law. Just like if some one steals your car and hits another vehicle with it. You pay for the damages. It's your car! You let a friend take care of your dog for the weekend while you're out of town. The dog bites some one. It's not the person who watches the dog that get's into trouble but the owner of the dog. I hope the other parent in your situation got fined also since it was his son also doing the damage. If not, I would get a lawyer and sue the pants off him for neglect! I know you can't get him for home alone because the kids are old enough to be at home with out supervision. Tough situation and I hope things get better for you. ~JK~

Answer 4

I would contact a lawyer - if the neighbor left minors unsupervised isn't that some form of neglect on their part? If nothing else consider a counterclaim against the person who said they would supervise them the who time. Separate the fact that that person is the one is hitting you up for the $4500. Suppose the boys had left the house and vandalized a different neighbor's house. You would have to pay for your kids damage but try to re-coop it from the person who said they would watch your child but failed to.

Also, give your kid a taste of jail. Take them to a local jail to see how much fun it is. I would also consider giving them the jail experience right at home with a severe grounding.

Answer 5

i know this will be hard for you to swallow but you are responsible for your child untill the age of 18.....you should have instilled morel and ethical values into your child to know what is right or wrong weather you are there or weather noone is there. same as if he was 3 days shy of turning 18 and he steals a car and crashes into a house..your still responsible....when the time comes for you to leave your child anywhere he should be well prepared for whatever may happen.....he was not taught the proper way to behave unsupervised...he should have known better to not do what he did and the court and sociaty lets the blame on your shoulders....but i would turn this into a lesson for him hopefully not to be repeated..i would make him do work for you untill the money you have to pay is paid back to you and i would also talk to the judge and see if they can court impose some public service work for your son so not only will you learn but he will also right from wrong...its a hard lesson to learn but once taught you wont have to deal with this again weather your son is supervised or not.

Answer 6

On the surface it would seem that the ruling is unfair, since you left your child in the care of another adult. But laws about parental liability vary greatly from state to state so it is hard to tell what criteria the judge is following. However, I have not heard of any state that orders you to jail for a property damage case....at least, not in my state. It would seem that you are blameless, but perhaps the responsibility has to be divided by the court and then you have to sue the negligent parent who left the boys unattended, in order to recover your losses. Talk to an attorney. (By the way, I hope you tore your son a new one for having no respect for the property of others)

Answer 7

I suspect there is a lot more to the story in the "two years later" that was skipped over. This sounds like a sentence for contempt of court. First rule of law, no matter what: don't piss off the judge.

Answer 8

I suspect you will be able to work something out with the court...
but...
I do believe parents are financially responsible.
9 grand is a lot of damage.
they go at neighbors house with sledgehammers?

You used the word "guardian" three times.
He? She? Foster parent? Older sibling?
have you ever met "guardian"?

Answer 9

Of course you are responsible for your son's actions! You're lucky you only have to pay half.
You can, however, make your son share the responsibility. Start taking money out of his allowance (be reasonable and realistic), Make him get a small parttime job (lawn mowing, yard cleaning,etc., certainly not babysitting) and/or increase his chores around your place.

Answer 10

That doesn't sound right. You should contact a lawyer. Is this a civil suit or a criminal suit? Maybe the judge is planning on throwing you in jail for contempt if you do not come up with the money.

Call a lawyer.