What Would You Do?

[Rudyjohn]

Sorry, this isn't a funn thread, but I need a little advice.

Last week, my son was outside a friend's house (nice family neighborhood near schools) with other teens, sitting on their bicycles, getting ready to ride to the local video rental store, when all of a sudden a mini van drove by slowly and shot an aerosol gun into the crowd of kids. A spray of pellets hit my son in the back as he was closest to the curb. He thought he recognized some of the boys as being older boys from marching band, etc., so he took off and followed on his bike. The teen in the passenger side turned around & shot at him and my son realized he did not recognize them. But he went ahead and memorized their license plate # and immediately called the police to the scene. They took a statement, description, etc. The police said this has been happening & they have been unable to catch them. Well, we thought it was over. (Also, no injuries to our son, just welts.)

Well, a police investigator called our house last night and said they believe they have located the persons/teens responsible for this and asked if we want to press charges. We said we wanted to think on it and will call them back today. (They are local teens.)

My thoughts are: Obviously this was a dangerous game to be playing, could've caused eye injuries. etc. These could be future delinquents/ciminals...
But, my husband and I don't want to ruin some teens' lives, have a permanent criminal record, have a scholarship pulled, etc., for making a stupid, wrong choice. The investigator was slightly encouraging us to press charges. We would have to go to court, we would not be anonymous, these kids would most likely only be fined (along with a record - they said this is considered battery). We don't want future trouble because we felt like WE did the right thing. You know, it always seems as if the perpetrator is more protected, even if it is on the wrong side of the law.

It's a delimma we don't have an easy answer for. Other than not pressing charges and letting them go.

 

[JT]

Sorry, this isn't a funn thread, but I need a little advice.

Last week, my son was outside a friend's house (nice family neighborhood near schools) with other teens, sitting on their bicycles, getting ready to ride to the local video rental store, when all of a sudden a mini van drove by slowly and shot an aerosol gun into the crowd of kids. A spray of pellets hit my son in the back as he was closest to the curb. He thought he recognized some of the boys as being older boys from marching band, etc., so he took off and followed on his bike. The teen in the passenger side turned around & shot at him and my son realized he did not recognize them. But he went ahead and memorized their license plate # and immediately called the police to the scene. They took a statement, description, etc. The police said this has been happening & they have been unable to catch them. Well, we thought it was over. (Also, no injuries to our son, just welts.)

Well, a police investigator called our house last night and said they believe they have located the persons/teens responsible for this and asked if we want to press charges. We said we wanted to think on it and will call them back today. (They are local teens.)

My thoughts are: Obviously this was a dangerous game to be playing, could've caused eye injuries. etc. These could be future delinquents/ciminals...
But, my husband and I don't want to ruin some teens' lives, have a permanent criminal record, have a scholarship pulled, etc., for making a stupid, wrong choice. The investigator was slightly encouraging us to press charges. We would have to go to court, we would not be anonymous, these kids would most likely only be fined (along with a record - they said this is considered battery). We don't want future trouble because we felt like WE did the right thing. You know, it always seems as if the perpetrator is more protected, even if it is on the wrong side of the law.

It's a delimma we don't have an easy answer for. Other than not pressing charges and letting them go.

This is only my opinion but if you dont press charges these kids will continue to cause trouble. If you do press charges it will effect the parents if there is any fine that goes along with it. When you hit the parents in the wallet they start keeping tabs on the kids. The police will have them on record and keep and eye out for them. Its not your problem to worry about a scholarship being ruined or criminal records being recorded. It is you reasonability to protect your children and other that might get hurt. If you don't take action the next person might be seriously injured.

I had a friend that was killed because I didnt step in and say something to the right people. Im not saying that your issue will come to anything like that but I think some preventative action needs to happen.

 

[Jennifer Steele]

They need to be taught a lesson. Something should be done.

 

[Cil]

I don't know how it is where you are, but if the kids are under 18, often the judge at their hearing will offer them the choice of "Diversion" in which they are assigned community service and/or go to classes for a period of time, then report back to the judge. Once the assignments are all complete, the kid reports back to the judge and the crime is not on his permanent record.
My older son was a wild child and we found out all this stuff the hard way.
Kids need consequences.

 

[Smiling JOe]

...
But, my husband and I don't want to ruin some teens' lives, have a permanent criminal record, have a scholarship pulled, etc., for making a stupid, wrong choice. ...

People must learn to be held accountable for their actions. What if the next time, it is another teen's life who is damaged? How guilty will you feel then if you do nothing to correct the behavior? I think we sometimes have too much sympathy for criminals. This may be the case.

I would also like to add that your son busted his butt to do the right thing, going after them and getting the tag number as well as calling the Police. You should be proud of him and support the decision he made by following through with the prosecution of these kids. The behavior of the kids doesn't sound to uncommon, but maybe you can help get them back in line.

 

[JT]

I would also like to add that your son busted his butt to do the right thing, going after them and getting the tag number as well as calling the Police. You should be proud of him and support the decision he made by following through with the prosecution of these kids. The behavior of the kids doesn't sound to uncommon, but maybe you can help get them back in line.[/QUOTE]


:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: I had not thought of that.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Thanks to all of you for your input. We really do want to do the right thing and there should be consequences. My son is adamant about wanting to press charges, but I think that's his "excitement level" of all this - the fact that he helped catch them. I'm trying to see the whole picture beyond our own personal feelings & the effects it will have on these kids.

I'm thinking we will probably agree to press charges.

 

[Mermaid]

Don't be such a bleeding heart. Press charges against these teenagers. Your son is lucky in that he had only welts on his body. It could have been worse. What if they had caused him to fall off his bike into the path of an oncoming car? What if he'd been hit in the eye and suffered permanent blindness? Would you be worried then about those kids' future lives if your own son's future life was ruined? The kids "playing" this shooting game were not involved in a victimless crime. It was dangerous beyond words. Let them face the consequences for it.

 

[Beach Runner]

PRESS CHARGES! It's for their own good, as well as others'.

Heck, I even call 911 with tag numbers when I see someone driving recklessly and identify myself (of course, they see my phone number on their caller ID). Don't I sound like an old codger? It's just that I'm sick of aggressive drivers when I'm in the right lane and going 10 mph over the speed limit and they're risking my life by tailgating me.

So sorry this happened to your son and your family.

 

[Rudyjohn]

People must learn to be held accountable for their actions. What if the next time, it is another teen's life who is damaged? How guilty will you feel then if you do nothing to correct the behavior? I think we sometimes have too much sympathy for criminals. This may be the case.

I would also like to add that your son busted his butt to do the right thing, going after them and getting the tag number as well as calling the Police. You should be proud of him and support the decision he made by following through with the prosecution of these kids. The behavior of the kids doesn't sound to uncommon, but maybe you can help get them back in line.

That is true & we are very proud of him. We have always reminded him many, many times before he leaves the house, "do the right thing."

I have to be honest tho, when the police called and Mr. Johnrudy answered, they indentified themselves as, "This is the __________ Police Dept and we have your son ___________ here." (they took him in for his statement.) My husband's face drained of all color. The first thing you think is, he has been hurt, then, what did he do? I mean, you just never know. I am, of course, very happy and proud of him, after we found out!