The 10-year-old boy who accidentally started one of the worst California wildfires last month could face stern consequences, should prosecutors decide to bring charges. Though too young to be charged as an adult, the boy could still face millions of dollars in fines, removal from his home and possible detention as a ward of the state. For now the boy's fate - and that of his parents, who would be partially liable for any restitution payments he would have to pay - rests with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley.
2007-11-07 08:13:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The whole group, kid & parents, need to pay something. It is both their faults & the child has to learn not to play with matches. I personally don't think he should be taken from his family, but he needs to do some servce, helping clean up after what he did. We can't coddle them after he does something so destructive.
2007-11-07 08:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I believe that this boy should absolutely be charged with some sort of juvinille detention. At 10 years old, you should be able to know that playing with fire can only lead to bad consequences! I am hearing some people that say that "at 10 years old, the boy probably didn't understand that what he did was wrong". What a load of crap!! 10 year olds are not toddlers, people!!!
2007-11-07 12:28:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jim ((C.A.B.)) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 10 year old boy who started the fire cannot be charged of any crime because of minority but his parents could be the ones charged for negligence in looking after after their child. The parents are liable for the acts of their children under the law.
2007-11-07 08:18:50 · answer #3 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Certainly, the parents should be held liable. The boy is 10, and while I think that is old enough to know better than to play with matches, he is legally a minor. People not only lost their homes in this fire, but some also lost their lives. Someone must be held accountable.
2007-11-07 08:22:07 · answer #4 · answered by Keep on Truckin' 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The kid should definitely get some serious Juvie time; but I don't know what to say about restitution. His parents could pay every penny that they earn for the rest of their lives and never even remotely touch the damage that was done. So maybe a punitive fine for the parents, but not restitution. Maybe have the kid pay half his wages to some kind of a burn fund until he's 21 or donate it to *volunteer* fire departments.
I think it would be counter-productive for the kid to do any firefighting activities, because a surprising number of firefighters are or become arsonists. Why fuel the kid's fire ? (No pun intended.)
2007-11-07 08:29:06 · answer #5 · answered by heebus_jeebus 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
He was grossly negligent by playing with matches. He should receive some type of punishment. A fine would be meaningless to him. A short stint in juvenile detention would be appropriate. Maybe 4-6 months.
2007-11-07 08:18:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
His parents are the negligent ones. Sorry, if your 10-year old has access to matches, you are negligent. I had access to matches as a 10-year old and I didn't start any fires, but if I had, my parents would have been responsible (or should have been). Should have locked the matches up.
2007-11-07 09:06:31 · answer #7 · answered by fredo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes we just love to put people in jail or hit them up for fines... DUH! LEAVE THE KID ALONE! And if we charge the parents for negligence then every parent who lets their kid play outside should also be charged. The only way the parents should be held liable is if they gave the kid matches and told him to do it. Otherwise, it is a tragedy, and sorry that the state of California can't collect legal fines for it.
2007-11-07 08:25:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Send him to Darfur to reflect on the preciousness of life
2007-11-07 08:40:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋