Would you press charges against... UPDATE 11/4!

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The lieutenant just called and the paperwork has been forwarded to the detective. I had to state my intentions at that time, I told them I would be pressing charges. I really hope that I am doing the right thing...

After I get the camera back, I will tell you all how I found out that this person was the one who stole it. Funny story!

 

[Scurvy]

Frankly, I almost think it would be irresponsible not to press charges. At that age, the kid should already be well aware that stealing is wrong. I would absolutely press charges. For all you know, they could be stealing stuff all the time and no one ever presses charges because "it's just a kid." Someone needs to put a stop to the behavior before it gets even worse.

ETA - I think you are doing the right thing. I'm glad you decided to press charges.

 

[ckay87]

If it were MY kid, I would want you to press charges.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I would press charges.....at 16 you may be doing the kid a favor....may scare him/her enough to not do something like that again.

I agree.

 

[johnsontrio]

I agree! I think that kids do stupid things.

My DH is a police officer. The system pampers kids. Unfortunately, they don't like to put kids in a jail cell. This isn't a felony, and if the kid got a FINE, you would be lucky. (I can just see this kid, if he was a snot, with a smile on his face as the judge handed over the fine as punishment... yeah, mommy and daddy would probably pay it for him, end of story.) You CAN, however, arrange with the judge for another form of punishment as restitution to you in lieu of pressing charges.

This kid would be raking ALL of my fall leaves, picking them out of my bushes and shrubs, out of my flower beds, and out of my gutters - the whole while, thinking about MY camera that he stole.

or you taking pictures of him doing all this service with the camera he stole...

If it were MY kid, I would want you to press charges.

I agree..

And I also agree with the many posters that said this may be the wake-up call that changes his life....On the other hand, if he gets a pass on this, he is guaranteed to learn nothing....

 

[AshleyW]

If it were MY kid, I would want you to press charges.

I agree. I think you did the right thing, OP.

 

[GeorgeG]

Yes, I would press charges.

As adults, we tend to think of anyone 16 years old as a kid, but most kids that age want to be adults with adult freedoms and behavior. They think they are adults, but they're really not ready for adult responsibilities and consequences. About the only way you can drive that home is by allowing them to experience some consequence.

 

[C.Ann]

You did the right thing.. Children should learn long before they are 16 years old that their actions have consequences..

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Just got off the phone with the detective. He took the information and retrieved the "evidence" (trust me I will spill the beans when the camera is safe at home). I think they will be making a visit to the "person's" house soon... At least I hope soon, we have to keep quiet so the camera doesn't magically disappear!

 

[tonilea]

I would press charges, but I would remember that the juvenile justice code outdated and ineffective in today's world.

Like a PP my DH is a police officer and I used to be an officer.

I arrested a kid with LSD and after his court date, I saw his photo in the paper.... accepting an athletic scholarship.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I would also press charges.

I want to know how this plays out...keep us up to date!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would press charges, but I would remember that the juvenile justice code outdated and ineffective in today's world.

Like a PP my DH is a police officer and I used to be an officer.

I arrested a kid with LSD and after his court date, I saw his photo in the paper.... accepting an athletic scholarship.

That makes me really sad/mad. I was talking with DD because I chose to press charges and I really want her to be prepared for the backlash (if there is any) in her friend circle. She opened up about this person and what I learned was not good at all. They have been in trouble before and very disrespectful from what she is saying. Glad this person is NOT a close friend to DD.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would also press charges.

I want to know how this plays out...keep us up to date!

Don't worry, I definetely will update everyone. I am sure the story will amuse a few of the detective parents on the boards (I am one of them).

 

[hegsag]

In all honesty, I think by pressing charges you are doing this kid a favor (in the long run). GL -- hopefully, you'll get your camera back undamaged. Hopefully your dd wont deal with much backlash.

 

[Stitchfans]

I would just get my camera back. If I need to press charges to do that, so be it. Otherwise, I would not press charges.

This is what I was thinking. Why have the kid start out his life with a record over a camera.


for the record, no I did not read on past this post, but I still stand by what I said.

having authorities at his home most likely would scare him quite a bit and as long as he is aware that charges weren't pressed this time might be a scare enough not to do it again.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The detective just called. No one was at the house. So now I have to sit and wait. They will try to drive by later, but if no one is home the detective won't be in again until Monday morning. I am definetely not good at waiting. This is driving me crazy!


And for those who felt that I shouldn't press charges, initially that is how I felt. Its just a camera. But after weighing everything back and forth, pressing charges is definetely the right thing to do for me in this situation.

 

[lillygator]

do they read the boards? Just wondering why you can't fill us in yet....

 

[N.Bailey]

You can press charges all you want, but this kid won't get anything. My son was attacked by 2 boys back in June. My son is TINY and the one boy was huge (don't know his age), and his brother was 26 years old (though not as big). My son went to their house because his GF's friend lived there. He waited outside while the girls went in. He didn't even know ANY of these people (they just moved here from Baltimore - losers should have stayed there, IMO). Well, the FAT mother to these boys stood on the porch (she has to be hitting close to 50) not allowing the girls to leave the residence and egging her 2 boys on to keep beating my son up.

It came down to a simple assault and ultimately, they'll get nothing, though I am not willing to drop the charges. It's a misdemeanor and they'll likely not even be fined. We don't even get restitution (hospital bill, but son was okay); unless we want to take it up in civil court (which would be a pointless).

Let me tell you, it's hard to not want a little vigilante justice. My husband could flatten them all with 1 punch each (including the fat *** mother who stood on the porch), and if it's ONLY simple assault, it would be SOOOOO worth it. LOL We're not going there, but it's nice thinking about it.

If you can come up with a solution on your own to teach this boy a lesson (and that really should be the goal with a 16 year old who hasn't committed a felony), I think you'll come out ahead. He'll barely get a slap on the wrist from the law, and that might show him what he could get away with in the future.

I do understand the anger though. Especially since it's real fresh.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

do they read the boards? Just wondering why you can't fill us in yet....

I don't know I would assume they don't. But you never know who is lurking in the corner. I really want to get my camera back and if they sell it before the Detective gets there, then the lead is gone. I will definetely keep everyone updated as I get information...

I can start out though I guess with a little background.

DD went to a party in April. A group of core friends and few not as close friends. No enemies, etc. Everyone was having a good time, they were in the backyard. DD and at least 4 others put their cameras in the garage. Later in the evening, our camera was stolen. It had to be someone at the party. No one fessed up. I called the police and gave a report. DD provided the names and addresses of all the kids and the officers stated that they look at the schools and pawn shops, but the best way for me to get the camera back would be if DD was to hear anything....

I must admit, I turned into Mrs. Detective mode after they left and have been actively searching for my camera via the internet. I will leave it at that for now and I really promise, once the Detective talks with this person, I will update.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

You can press charges all you want, but this kid won't get anything. My son was attacked by 2 boys back in June. My son is TINY and the one boy was huge (don't know his age), and his brother was 26 years old (though not as big). (edited orginal post)

I am very sorry about what happened to your son.