Stupid Kids . . . I know they stole our bikes but . . .

[kris7047th]

So they get off the hook with this and then move on up to stealing what? Cars? Make them pay now and do them a favor. They need to learn that if you play stupid games .. you win stupid prizes.

[Jolt]

So they get off the hook with this and then move on up to stealing what? Cars? Make them pay now and do them a favor. They need to learn that if you play stupid games .. you win stupid prizes.

I don't think anybody was suggesting they should get off the hook, it was more that some people were concerned about a felony conviction making it hard for these kids to (hopefully) become productive members of society after serving the punishment for their crime and learning their lesson.

[indysteel]

Again, I think it's worth stressing that unless these "kids" are treated as adults for prosecution purposes, they won't be convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor for that matter. The treatment for juvenile offenders is different than it is for adults (or juveniles treated as adults). Typcially, terms like "felony" and "conviction" have no meaning within a state juvenile justice program. I don't know Minnesota's system specifically, but it seems to me that the outcome in this case may hinge more on whether the kids are transferred into adult court. Of course, there still be serious ramifications for a juvenile who commits the equivalent of a felony, but many of the concern expressed in this thread about the longlasting effect of convicting a teen with a felony conviction is the very reason that juveniles are treated differently in the first place.

[OakLeaf]

Are they juveniles? I don't think the OP said they were.

[Skippyak]

In the US "kid" as a term for a young person is totally overused. kid to me is a minor.

[Veronica]

We're in our forties and my in laws still refer to us as "the kids".

Personally, I have little sympathy for those who commit crimes - no matter what the age. We live in an area that goes through periods of burglaries - many of which are drug motivated. Our school was vandalized last week; four classrooms broken into. Many items destroyed, and a few things stolen. Imagine explaining to first and second graders why they can't have school in their regular room? Probably done by kids, p!ssed off at society and the educational system. You can only help those who want help and are willing to change.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

In the US "kid" as a term for a young person is totally overused. kid to me is a minor.

I don't think it's solely in the USA. I don't know much Italian, but one thing I hear all the time is "ragazzi" being applied to adults who are young or just young at heart.

[indysteel]

Are they juveniles? I don't think the OP said they were.

That's what I took her to mean when she said "kid." But if she was using it more generically, then nevermind. I typically only use the word kid to refer to minors. Perhaps the OP can clarify.

ETA: The way she referred to them as "stupid kids," coupled with the suggestion that they likely didn't know the value of what they stole (because they are young, perhaps) led me to believe that we are, in fact, talking about minors. But again, perhaps she can clarify.

[shootingstar]

Since we do have several lawyers in TE forum, then minor must be a legal definition in the U.S., an age benchmark.

Anyway these teenagers (since we don't know their ages) do need to have charge laid whatever it may be in the end, and understand the consequences.

[indysteel]

Since we do have several lawyers in TE forum, then minor must be a legal definition in the U.S., an age benchmark.

Anyway these teenagers (since we don't know their ages) do need to have charge laid whatever it may be in the end, and understand the consequences.

The age of majority differs from state to state, but the majority of states set it at 18. The age at which a child may be transferred into the adult criminal system also differs from state to state. I think many set it at 14. Again, this subject may be a needless tangent if the "kids" are not truly kids but young adults.