Yes, juvenile cases are puzzling altogether. In 1994 while on business, the boyfriend of the girl across the street decided they'd go boating Labor Day weekend - without asking permission to take my boat. To make a long story short, he was given the "first offender" program (odd, if the first offense involves stealing a $22,000 boat, what's the second offense going to be?). To make a long story short, he got a slap on the wrist, ordered to pay restitution - so he was ordered to pay my insurance deductible (not thefull cost of the repair)+ tow and impound fees) - and (OMG!) probation to age 25 (he was 17 at the time). His parents accused me of "ruining his life" with recommending the maximumlength of probation to the Asst DA, but then asked the judge to allow him to pay the $500 or so restitution back at $10/month so that he wouldn't have to sellhis truck that he used to hitch up to my (locked up, by the way) boat and that he relied on so that his parents "wouldn't have to take him to school" (what's wrong with the school bus?). He ended up having to sell the truck in the end(awwwww), but didn't matter much - since he violated his probation (imagine this, BURGLARY) less than eight months later and finished high school just in time to spend his summer in court and I lost track of him after that.

Sure, some of you probably think "it was just a harmless joyride, after all - kids will be kids," right?I apologize ifI seem to have very little sympathy for juvenile offenders, because I just don't.

Yeah, I happen to know a couple guys who did nothing more than beat their wives. Now neither of them can own a firearm anymore thanks to the Lautenberg Actso their hunting days are over. All for beating up their wife? Gee, what's this world coming to? (all sarcasm intended).

I completely agree with encorepete here.