James H. Lilley
What is
justice for the youthful offenders? And, by
youthful offenders I mean those young hoodlums,
male and female, who continually commit crimes
of violence, beat and main others, with some
now filming the act for their amusement, and
the entertainment of others who will later view
the violence on the internet via YouTube.com or
MySpace.com. They are car thieves, drug
dealers, burglars, and vandals with no morals,
or purpose in life. But, in that same
definition, I also include those who fill our
schools with no desire to learn, and find
further recreation in disrupting classes,
terrorizing teachers, and those students who
aspire to make something of themselves. These
offenders come from every segment of our
society, without regard for race or social
standing. They attend public schools in the
inner cities, and the suburbs, while others go
to private schools and elite academies. What
is justice for these individuals when they
commit a crime? From where I stand, it seems
to be no more than a slap on the wrist, be a
good boy or girl, and go on committing those
acts that amuse you. Cynical belief, or cold
fact?
The
revolving door within the Criminal Justice
System exists at all levels. But, when it
comes to youthful offenders, it appears as
though the system is often willing to dole out
more opportunities for the offender to continue
a life of crime. First time defendants are
often given a lecture regarding their
“misbehavior” by the Judge or Juvenile Master
hearing the case, and sent on their way. But,
when they come back for a second, third and
fourth visit to the courtroom, too often the
same lecture is given. By
now, the young
thug knows the system is a joke, but plays the
role of remorseful soul and might even shed a
few tears of “sorrow” to convince a judge and
everyone connected to Juvenile Services that he
or she is truly “reformed.” Rest assured that
these penitent sinners are laughing on the
inside as they listen to the speech, and will
laugh loud and long the moment they are in the
company of their hooligan friends. And, don’t
be fooled by those tears of sorrow. They are
sorry only because they were caught and
arrested. Each new appearance and release
elevates them to a higher level of reverence in
the eyes of their friends, and the wannabe
thugs searching for a “role model” to emulate.
And, why not? After all, they have once again
beaten the system.
So,
it would seem the word “justice” is a
contradiction. Justice would be the passing
down of a sentence befitting the crime.
Handing down a sentence suitable for the crime,
even for first time offenders, would also
provide a measure of justice for the victims
and their families. But how often does this
really happen? And, when the system fails, it
only encourages those who have gotten away with
a crime to go on doing as they please. These
failures also imply to the victims that they
have no protection from the system despite the
acts committed against them. Yet, if in their
frustration, they fight back against those who
have wronged them, then it is they who are
punished. Defense against a violent act can
often be justified, but when a person lashes
out at those who continually terrorize them
through acts of vandalism or threats, they feel
the full wrath of the justice system. This too
is a failure on the part of the courts and
juvenile services. If they had taken
appropriate legal steps to stop, or punish the
actions of the offender in the very beginning,
maybe it would not be necessary for victims to
take the law into their own hands.
The
Juvenile Justice system fails law-abiding
citizens ever day. Look no further
than Zack
Sowers of Baltimore, as a perfect example of
its failure. Mr. Sowers was beaten into a coma
by a gang of young thugs who were in the act of
robbing him. He never regained consciousness,
and it was a medical fact that in time he would
die. Yet, the City of Baltimore agreed not to
prosecute the perpetrators for his murder, and
they escaped with a meaningless sentence. Not
long after they received their inconsequential
slap on the
wrist, Mr. Sowers died. Now they laugh in smug
arrogance, knowing that they have gotten away
with murder, and in a matter of time, they will
be free to commit further acts of violence.
Oh, and let’s not forget that they now have
bragging rights among the ranks of other
“esteemed bad asses.” They can boast, and you
can bet your life’s savings that they are, that
they’ve beaten a man to death. Yet, for the
Sowers family, they have only a future without
a loving husband and son. There was no
justice, or satisfaction for his family and
friends, only another failure by the
court.
The
Baltimore City schools have reported over 100
acts of violence this year. How many have gone
unreported? I hope no one is foolish enough to
believe that the school principals and
administrators report every violent act, or
other crime to the police. I assure you, many
incidents go unreported because principals and
administrators don’t want a blemish on their
records. Teachers, who are willing to talk off
the record, will tell you exactly what goes on
in the schools. But, only off the record,
because they fear reprisal from their
superiors. At the same time, there is a
complete lack of discipline in the schools.
Those who cause problems are often not
suspended for their actions because principals
don’t want to look bad, and fear the mark on
their record. Taking a tough stand against
disruptive behavior, and criminal acts can make
them look bad??? Isn’t it their job to ensure
that the school runs smoothly and efficiently?
Isn’t it part of their job to assure parents
that their children will be safe, and receiving
the best education possible while under their
care and supervision? And, don’t these same
principals have an obligation to the teachers,
to guarantee them their support and protection
from acts of violence? The lack of courage in
the schools to take a strong stand, when it
comes to criminal acts, and rebellious behavior
by students, is just one more failure of our
process.
What about the teachers? Their hands are tied,
and they are at the mercy of the students and
their superiors. A teacher was attacked and
beaten by a 10th grader, while
fellow students looked on and encouraged the
attacker to continue his beating of the woman.
Again, this was filmed by cell phone, posted
for the “viewing pleasure” of others on the
Internet, and subsequently shown on news
broadcasts. Administrators are saying the
actions of the teacher and student will be
investigated to determine what happened.
Surely, I must have missed something in all of
this. There are recorded images, documenting
the attack on the teacher by a student, and
taped voices of those who cheered him on during
the beating. Why is an investigation,
surrounding the actions of the teacher
appropriate? It indeed looks to me like the
teacher is the victim of a violent assault by
an out of control student. Exactly what is the
school superintendent looking for? An avenue
to blame the teacher? Teachers are being
assaulted by students, and threatened by
parents almost every day, but are left standing
alone to defend themselves, when they are, in
fact, the victims.
A
group of nine middle school students attacked
and savagely beat a woman on a bus, but then
accused her of instigating the confrontation,
and saying they were simply defending
themselves. When was the last time anyone of
sound mind, and outnumbered nine to one,
provoked a fight?
In
Florida, a gang of girls attacked and brutally
beat another girl, who was a fellow classmate
and cheerleader. Two boys, one of them an
adult, acted as lookouts while the group took
turns beating the victim. This act too was
filmed, shown on the Internet, and later on
news broadcasts. When the girls were taken
into custody and brought before the court, they
showed no remorse and joked that they wouldn’t
be going swimming on Spring Break. Was their
almost jovial attitude because they have no
fear of punishment for their crime? But,
unlike so many other states, Florida allows the
names and photographs of the juvenile suspects
to be released to the press. And, this is as
it should be nationwide. Those youths that
commit crimes, regardless of age, should be
held up to the public eye. Those involved in
the incident face misdemeanor and felony
charges, but what will the courts do when they
appear for their trials?
Another side note to the Florida beating is
that the staff from Doctor Phil McGraw’s show
have gotten involved and posted bail for one of
the teens. To me, this is no more then a
grandstand play for ratings, and hopes of
grabbing another sob story for the viewing
public. My thoughts for Doctor Phil and
company—butt the hell out.
I
have found some justice for young offenders in
the Great State of Texas. A group of high
school girls, who called themselves “The Queens
of Armed Robbery”, were arrested after they had
planned and executed several robberies. They
utilized a handgun in the commission of their
crimes, and the ringleader was only16 years
old. Two of the girls decided to throw
themselves on the mercy of the court and
pleaded guilty to their crimes. They did so,
hoping the jury would be more lenient with them
than the judge. In this case, the judge would
have had to sentence them to a minimum of five
years for their offenses, but in Texas a jury
can pass a lesser sentence. The jury however,
decided that five years wasn’t enough for their
crimes, and sentenced them to seven years. The
16-year-old ringleader decided to plead not
guilty and her attorney asked for, and
received, a change of venue. This young lady
was from a family of means, and I guess it was
assumed that daddy’s money could buy her
freedom. He hired the best attorney his money
could lure, and the young lady sat through her
trial with a look of smug arrogance plastered
to her face. Well, the jury saw fit to find
her guilty and sentenced her to seven and a
half years. Texas Justice prevailed over money
and arrogance. In both cases, the judges told
the girls they didn’t care if they were wealthy
or poor, and their tears meant nothing. They
had broken the law, terrorized their victims
and would be paying the price. Jurors agreed,
saying the girls did not deserve leniency
because they had committed multiple crimes
before their capture. One juror said if they
had committed only one robbery, turned
themselves in and asked for mercy, he might
have agreed, but not with multiple offenses.
Thank you, Texas. Justice Texas Style should
be established as the rule across the country.
Perhaps a harsh message sent out to all first
time offenders, wannabe thugs and gang-bangers,
would make a far more lasting impression than
the “naughty boy or naughty girl” slap on the
wrist.
Where do the failures in the system begin? No,
let’s not merely look at the Juvenile Justice
System as the root of the problem. Let’s
examine the complete picture, and when we do,
the first place to look is in the home.
Teaching discipline, respect for others, and
the law begins in the home where the child is
raised. The teaching of values and respect has
to begin immediately, not when the child is 14
and already a familiar face to police and the
courts. It’s called parental responsibility,
but unfortunately too many don’t give a damn
about their obligation as parents, while others
believe the burden to teach their child right
from wrong, and respect, rests with someone
else. Then too, there are those parents who
teach their children to hate their fellow human
beings, and lead them into a life of crime
through example.
The breakdown
begins in the home, regardless of whether those
homes are situated on inner city streets, or
million dollar homes on tree lined roadways in
the suburbs. The collapse of the system
continues its downward spiral with the offering
of excuses and finger pointing. Parents who
continually offer excuses for their child’s
behavior, or
blame someone else, including the schools, the
police and peers, is simply teaching the child
to do the same. It’s part of the ongoing, and
ever growing, trend of failing to accept
responsibility for one’s own actions.
Maybe there
should be more rigid laws passed holding the
parents responsible for their child’s actions.
Some states have such laws on the books, but
they don’t go far enough. So, I mean, very
strict laws. How long would a parent continue
to allow their child to perpetrate a reign of
terror, in the neighborhoods and schools, if
they were sent to jail for the child’s crime?
Not long, I’m sure. But, you can believe the
ACLU would go positively insane if anyone even
mentioned passing such laws. Oh well, there’s
no harm in dreaming. But, in truth, the time
is long overdue for everyone to stop pampering
the young criminals in our society. Stop
sending them the message that it’s okay to
murder, rape and terrorize. Responsibility for
curbing the spread of juvenile crime rests on
the shoulders of everyone, but it begins with
the parents.
About the Author
James
H. Lilley was selected as the 2008 Police-Writers.com Author of the Year. The
author of the year selection was based in part on writing ability and in part on career and community service.
James
H. Lilley began his lifetime as a United States Marine in 1961. Shortly after
his discharge, he joined the Howard County Police Department (Maryland), graduating first in his class. During his career his received numerous honors such as Medal of Valor, four Bronze Stars, four Unit Citations
and the Governor’s Citation. James
H. Lilley has published six novels, articles in Police Chief Magazine and authored an International Association of Chiefs
of Police training key. Moreover, he began studying Martial Arts in the early
1960s and is a 8th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate; the first American to achieve this recognition and honor
from Sensei Takeshi Miyagi.
James
Lilley submitted as an example of his work The
Eyes of the Hunter (PublishAmerica 1997). One of the Police-Writers.com
judges said of James’ writing, “He is a mature writer with strong plot, character and story development.” Another judge said, “easy to read, and it was very good escapism. The
writer has some absolutely beautiful passages wherein he describes a sound or a vista.
The sex scenes are pretty hot, too.”