Should a ten year old be prosecuted??

Question

Will they judge that boy in california for arson? isn't it insane to even think of prosecuting a child? or that's normal in america?

Answer 1

My son is ten and I can tell you that he knows the consequences of playing with fire. That doesnt mean he wouldnt play just like I did but it does mean he knows enough to be held accountable. As mean as it may be, this kid needs to be punished. The message that is sent by allowing him to go unpunished is just plain wrong. What if he had taken the family car for a joyride and ran over another child or some old lady? Would people still be against prosecution? (and yes 10 yr olds can drive- I used to do it when my parents werent home)
The parents and child should be doing community service for years to come at the very least.

Answer 2

What is normal is:

1 - Parents to teach kids well before 10 to not play with matches. That seems to work in most cases :)

2 -For people charged with crimes to have their day in court - "presumed innocent until proven guilty" is the basis of the justice system

3 - for children as young as 10 or even younger to be charged with heinous crimes, such as murder and arson. Sometimes they are tried as an adult, sometimes as a child.

I haven't seen the stories on this charge yet, but I did drive through the area as the fires were dying out, and local reports were that the kid had been in trouble before and was not "little angel".

What would be the likely result of any prosecution is that the boy would be removed from the home and get some help that he needs, and would be eligible to be released from any punishment time no later then his 25th birthday and probably much sooner then that.

Hopefully he will grow up to be a better citizen then he would then if he is able to say "oops I did that and there were no consequences", even if it means finding out that one has to stand in court and answer for yourself.

Answer 3

That kid should be prosecuted for arson. He needs to learn NOW that actions have consequences, so he should spend the next eight years in juvenile hall thinking about what he did and how many lives he ruined (not to mention the multiple billions of dollars worth of property destroyed). People need to stop mooning over the fact that he's ten years old. He's old enough to know that he shouldn't be playing with fire and he's also old enough to take responsibility for his actions. He did the crime; let him do the time.

Answer 4

How is it insane to prosecute someone who's killed people? Maybe if he was four and completely unaware of his actions. But TEN YEARS OLD? Don't tell me he didn't know wht he was doing was wrong, and yet he did it anyway.

Answer 5

They can prosecute him under the juvenile system and perhaps get him help while he is incarcerated. Its not like he's a toddler. He knew that playing with fire was wrong.

Answer 6

I don't think so, he is a child. If he was an adult he should be because duh you can't go play with matches in the field. This kid probably knew that but you know how kids are. This will ruin his life if they do that to him. I know he made a BIG mistake- but I say give him a break, he's not dangerous otherwise. Plus, he fessed up right away, its not like he was hiding it forever.

Answer 7

Just put him in boys home under very strict guard. Then in prison when he is 18 yrs old.

Answer 8

Would you even be asking this question if people had died because of this 10 year old's behavior ?

Answer 9

It's time the American people take back their country, instead of remaining sheeple.

Answer 10

They aren't going to touch that boy. Americans are scared to death of their own children.