Need legal advice for a friend...

[SSMAN]

My buddy has a son the same age as mine. His son was hanging out with some friends at the ball park. One of the other kids jimmied the sliding door to the concession stand and went in. When he came out with candy, you know what the other kids did. They went in and got some too. They were caught, and are facing felony charges at age 12. This is in Johnson county. I know there will be some shit slinging here, but this is a stand up guy and has taught his son better. They were literally kids in a candy store. They did not break a lock or cause damage to get in. He said there was 4 or 5 of them that are charged.

All kids have never been in trouble before. I am amazed that they are toying with the idea of a felony charge against a 12 year old. But I guess times warrant desperate measures. I have no clue what today's laws are, so I thought I would try to help him out with some info if anyone has any input on this. TIA

[03trubluGT]

This is a State Jail Felony (4th degree and the least of the felony charges).

I would have him contact the "victim" and see if he could provide restitution in lieu of any criminal charges.

[jammeejamm]

today's laws are the same as yesterday's.

stealing is against the law, and a felony is a felony.

stop wasting his and your time and seek real legal counsel.

hopefully the charges will be dropped to misdemeanor trespassing to a property.

[SSMAN]

This is a State Jail Felony (4th degree and the least of the felony charges).

I would have him contact the "victim" and see if he could provide restitution in lieu of any criminal charges.

Thanks for the input. He said the lady was a total whack job, screaming at the kids and all that. He offered restitution right there on the spot, but He said she was dead set on pressing charges. He just got his notice from the probation board to meet with them to see what they will be seeking as far as charges go. So it is already past the Johnson County Attorneys board.

Said victim is the Burleson Youth Association. Could this be negotiated at the Juvenile Probation Dept?

[BlackSnake]

Felony charges are pretty common for youngsters these days. The good thing is that it usually wont (and in this case shouldn't) go into their adult life. Usually done at 18 or after probation/parole. For the ones with clean records before this point, I would think probation. But be aware...The juvenile system is crooked. Do everything you can to keep them out of juvy.

[SSMAN]

today's laws are the same as yesterday's.

stealing is against the law, and a felony is a felony.

stop wasting his and your time and seek real legal counsel.

hopefully the charges will be dropped to misdemeanor trespassing to a property.

Hey, I had no clue they could charge a 12 year old with a felony till he told me.

I asked him if he spoke to a lawyer, but he said he is having a hard time finding someone to tackle a juvenile case. I can only guess there is no money in it. He has no problem getting legal counsel, that is a must and he knows it.

I guess as a father myself, I thought it would be good to get some input........just in case. (hope I never need this info)

[Ruffdaddy]

Teach them right...punish the little assholes.

I doubt the kid is stand up if he's hanging out with this type of crowd and doing this shit.

I did some dumb shit too, but never broke into a place and stole shit.

Maybe Da Prez will have some advice?

[BlackSnake]

Teach them right...punish the little assholes.

I doubt the kid is stand up if he's hanging out with this type of crowd and doing this shit.

I did some dumb shit too, but never broke into a place and stole shit.

Maybe Da Prez will have some advice?

Good kids do stupid things sometimes. Maybe this will be a wake up call. Peer presure is a som bitch at that age.

Edit: What kind of punishment would you think fits?...

[Ruffdaddy]

Good kids do stupid things sometimes. Maybe this will be a wake up call. Peer presure is a som bitch at that age.

Edit: What kind of punishment would you think fits?...

Flog his ass...haha nah just kidding.

I think some community service unpaid at the concession stand and some tickets or fines to pay for would work. Pending this "stand up" dad actually makes the kid responsible for them.

I am really hoping the actual felony part is just a scare tactic.

[BlackSnake]

Flog his ass...haha nah just kidding.

I think some community service unpaid at the concession stand and some tickets or fines to pay for would work. Pending this "stand up" dad actually makes the kid responsible for them.

I am really hoping the actual felony part is just a scare tactic.

I can agree to that. And no kiddin on the felony part of this. But 1st timers usually get time served on probation for the felony. Just don't break probation.

I'm telling ya...The juvenile courts are hard core, and the facilities are incredibly corrupt.

Edit: Fines usually are payed by the parent. Not very good justice there.

[Sean88gt]

Is the DA that hard up that he needs to get a body count of little kids? Did the store owner file charges or were the cops the ones that overreacted?

Talk about 1) overreaction 2) failed opportunity to teach these kids valuable lessons outside of the legal system and 3) turn the kids to real assholes by sending them behind bars with real asshole kids.


We're fucked as a country because of cry baby actions like this. I stole as a kid and my parents worked with the damaged party to make them whole. Add embarrassment with working off a debt and a kid turns the corner pretty quick.

[Big A]

Said victim is the Burleson Youth Association. Could this be negotiated at the Juvenile Probation Dept?

It's completely ironic that a Yout association would rather go after legal "justice," than to actually be open to a solution that helps the kids learn from their actions, rather than subject them to the juvenile system. All over less than $50 worth of candy.

[scootro]

find the prosecuting attorney and flash some cash in his face an that shit will be over with

[Leah]

Good kids do stupid things sometimes. Maybe this will be a wake up call. Peer presure is a som bitch at that age.

Very well said. As a teacher (mostly high school age), I have seen some really good kids do some really stupid things just because of wanting to look cool to a girl, or a certain 'clique'. It doesn't mean they're a bad kid or have bad parents, you have to remember-they're still KIDS and they aren't mature enough or sometimes don't think ahead far enough to see the repercussions of their actions. They are still in the 'immediate gratification' stage. Don't write them all off because of a bad decision.

It's completely ironic that a Yout association would rather go after legal "justice," than to actually be open to a solution that helps the kids learn from their actions, rather than subject them to the juvenile system. All over less than $50 worth of candy.

Seriously-you would think of ALL people, they would be more willing to work something out to teach them a valuable lesson.

[Hobie]

Does Felony Youth stuff get sealed still?

I would hate to think stealing fucking candy at 12 would wind up fucking you for life.

"Here little Jimmy, you're a felon for life and all the best opportunities are no longer available to you, here's a triple beam and a 9mm. Take them, learn to use them, they are your best option now." LOL