Quote:
Originally Posted by LancYorkYankee
My point Billcat, is that the parents of many of these trouble-makers aren't innocent. Let a judge decide if the parents are somewhat culpable in how they allowed their kids to create mayheim!
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Let's get factual! Under both American and British law, they
are innocent - until proven guilty under law. By a jury trial, not a judge! BTW, I'd like to know just what crime you believe the parents to be guilty of. Last time I checked, most forms of poor parenting were not chargeable offenses. Let's charge the perpetrator, and not try to pine the blame on someone else (society, the school, social services, the parents, Officer Krupke, etc.).
Criminal liability, under both the US and UK justice systems, is based on
mens rea - criminal intent. If intent is not proven (and it is a complex subject) then, generally speaking, a crime was not committed.
Also, most prisoners are over 18 and legally adults. In those cases, it would be very hard to make a case against the parents and require them to pay for the incarceration.
In any case, this is getting to be a serious thread wander, as it does not deal with the topic of wages earned by prisoners. Suggest that, if you wish to discuss further, you set up a new topic.