Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock. In the time it took you to read those six words two criminal offenses were committed. In the time that it takes you to finish reading this first paragraph another violent crime will have happened. That in and of it self is numbing. The truly sad thing about it is that juvenile offenders will commit most of those crimes. A murder occurs in this country every 29 minutes. A rape occurs every 5 minutes and an aggravated assault happens every 28 seconds. By the time you finish reading this article, three women will have been raped and there will have been 30 aggravated assaults and 900 criminal offenses.

Kids between the ages of 14 and 19 will commit the majority of these crimes. Unfortunately, nearly 50 percent of these criminals will be black and male. Why? Apologists would say that the reason lies in poor housing conditions, lack of employment and historical racial bias and they would be right to some degree, but even considering these things can't account for the violence of these youthful offenders. Unfortunately, a culture of gangsterism and macho mentality has infected many of our youth. Arrogance, immaturity and insecurity wearing a gun is an accident looking for some place to happen and unluckily it has found a place to happen in the black community.

Although FBI statistics indicate there has been a drop in violent crime across the country, violence in the inner city has only dropped slightly and the incarceration rate for young black men and women is well above the rate for whites of comparable ages. There is no doubt that the criminal justice system has landed squarely on the backs of blacks. And, there is no doubt that sentencing is unfair, that police techniques are often brutal and biased and that the legal system is at best indifferent, but there is no escaping the reality of right and wrong, meaning that those who are in jail--belong there!

It is sad that they are young, but many of these youthful offenders are more often streetwise criminals with records longer than they are tall. The difference between fantasy and reality is often lost on young minds that haven't had sufficient life experience to know the difference. Tied in with gangsterized popular culture, this mode of life emphasizes living fast, living large and dying young which is exactly what many do. Easy access to drugs, alcohol, sex and weapons along with misguided peer pressure help lead these youths astray.

Still, life is about choices. It is about making decisions that affect our lives. Youth is not a sickness. It is a stage that we all go through. If we make the right decisions often enough, we go on to live a productive life where will continue to make choices. That we have choices is what living is all about. When we knowingly harm others, then we have made a choice that majority society says is wrong and as such requires consequences. The consequences? Jail, if you're lucky. A fresh burial plot--if not.

What can we do? As a start, we can start by not rewarding negative behavior whether it is from juvenile delinquents or from famous preachers just because of the color of their skin. If they are wrong--they are wrong--black or white! We can start to stress the importance of education, mental strength and courage, not in a preaching way, but in a behavioral way. In other words, we must walk the walk because time is running out on our youth. Time is running out on a culture that will not police its own. The clock is running. Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock

Great article Amun-Ra! You have me re-thinking a few of my own decisions made recently.

Very nice.

Destee

There's a chance or an opportunity for each of in this, BUT we have to be willing to call a spade a spade and at the same time, make time to help.

RA

Everything you said is on the one. We have paid much lip service to it, but we have done little about it. You are right, the finger is pointing directly at us. We say we want this and that, but we are the same ones who are promoting bad behavior to make money, by behaving badly ourselves or waiting for someone else to make a difference. Although there are those who are actively involved in trying to stop it, the ones who will make the difference is us. I would certainly be remiss if I didn't mention THEM--the ones who live these life styles and are surprised when they end up in jail or dead. Ultimately, the choice is theirs. Thanks for commenting and bringing some reality to the discussion.

RA

I am in agreement with Kemetstry and you on this RA!! Many parents no longer live up to their reponsibilities in raising their children. They provide substitutes, such as tv and video games....When I look at how children can have access to guns and start blasting and blowing up their classmates I wonder, where were the parents...In the columbine incident, these boys did their planning and made their bombs in their parents garage. How do you let your child stay in the garage or locked up in their rooms for hour after hour and not try to find out what they are doing?

We don't want to spank children, but instead give them a time out...I thank God for everytime my mama "whupped" my butt. I believe it made me a better person, and let me know that there are consequences to our actions.

Our boys have no role models because the fathers couldn't deal with the responsibility and the mothers have to work, and so our young boys ahve to grow up fast. They hang out with others like them and form families, and pledge to watch out for each other and protect each other, and the families grows until you have a gang.

Our society is so screwed up to the point that what was once right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right. Everything is turned upside down. Children are running their homes, they decide what they want to eat, they decide if they are going to bed, they decide what to wear, they decide if they are going to church,they decide when and where they are going. Parents are afraid of them, and then when a 10 year old child is caught committing a crime, the parents get on the news talking about I can't do anything with them.

I'd be double dogged damned if I let a 10 year old run my house....That problem should have been nipped in the bud at the beginning....


Like the Bible says...Spare the rod, spoil the child.

I agree, there is a problem going on with our youth today.
Parents need to be more responsible. Stop letting the television and the radio shape our childrens lives.
Teach your children about love, and about God. We need
to stand and take back our communities from drugs, sex and violence.We need to place positive role models in their lives.We need to educate our children. Education is a very important factor, the more you have, the further you'll go.It never crossed my mind to quit school, and I myself was a teenage mother.Too many kids are dropping out, and this scares me.Parents we just need to stand up, speak out, and take back control.

You guys hit it right where it belongs. Parents play a large roll in correcting this problem. Many parents haven't realized that once you bring children into this world that parents needs all of sudden become secondary. Always secondary! That doesn't mean the child gets whatever he or she wants, it means that parents see to their children first and the child's best interest and that includes making decision that will prepare that child for life.

Y'all got this one pegged.

Thanks Amun-Ra :kiss:

I'm so glad I got that off my chest. Folks here got some real clear ideas about what needs to be done. I guess all we need to do is do it.

Ra

As you have said brother we live in a society that is based and bred on "Gangsterism" from the hood to the Whitehouse. From the inception of this nation as we now know it robbing, trickery, pillaging and the like (all gangster tactics) continue. From robbing one of life to robbing one of opportunity to live the so-called "American dream" which coincedentally happens to be a nightmare for most. So what do we do? Especially in regards to our young who commit so many crimes. I think we as a people need to take our energies (not our eyes) off "the man" and focusing on fixing ourselves. Just think how can we command respect and justice from the "Overseers" when we do not command that from ourselves? We are quick to protest a killing of a brother or sister at a department store (check Detroit's news) at the hands of store security ,but, are we as quick to protest when these brothers who are "extremely" misguided are in the streets killing their reflections? Better yet, we need to protest and act before another killing in the hood and stop reacting. But it starts with us. No one respects a man or people who doesn't respect his/her/themselves. I could gone on 'til we revert back to 8track tapes and 78 records so I'll stop. You editorial was very insightful.

This is no reflection on the white community, but I am not worried about the problms there because I know they will be addressed. However, I am concerned that we have not paid enough attention to our own. we have excused far too much. I believe we must take our own selves to task and not let ourselves off the hook.

As an example. We have to demand that crimminals move out of our communitites. We cannot continue to allow them to live and trhrive in our communities. I know that we all like bargains and the "barbershop" bargain is one of the most infamous in the black community where known crooks and thugs coime to barbershops and beauty salons to sell hot goods. Yes, the bargains are great, but when we buy a hot television set, watch, ring, DVD etc., we are encouraging the practice that sooner or later will end up visiting our own houses. We have to say no! Or, we are just as guilty despite the great bargain, we are encouraging crime by buying stolen property.

You are so right! We have to start with ourselves and that willnot be easy.

Amun-Ra

Well it looks like I'm walking the fence again on this one.

Ra, you keep saying that you aren't concerned about white folx. It is those rules that we are following, our problems are just a macrocosm(sp) of thier society.

Yes, we are killing each other over the things that they told us were of value. And it is over stupid ****.

However, i work with elementary students. I am seeing how they are being set up to fail or at best to become part of their working society. I'm seeing the teachers using outdated methods, or oldschool methods being thrown out for so-called "better" ones. I also see the biases, such as in standardized tests.

yes, I have seen parents who are not doing their part in their children educations. those are mostly the ones who have been failed themselves. or you see our children continually thrown out of class and schools. I see many teachers being complacent and not really caring about the children as individuals. they demand respect but give none to the child. we need to take more control over how we and who govern our children's lives.

more control does not mean just a good ***-kicking. I'm seeing these kids transferring this violence to other kids. I would like to see more teachers of color in the classroom and in the school period, custodians, social workers, teacher's assistants, etc. We need the village. I look after yours, you look after mine.

However, again, is this education to be used to become a part of working class or to build our own "schools" and communities. I concentrated on education because those lacking my most in these areas are more prone to become a criminal. They learn to street hustle. This also leads them to only care about themselves and the present. They aren't living for the future, so they care about no one else because they don't really care about themselves.

I think it is also important to teach our children how to walk away for bull****. That they don't have to prove their worth by hurting others. But most often, when others make us feeling unworthy, we look for someone else use to lift us higher.

I'm don't mean to seem like I'm making excuses, I just know that this runs much deeper.

I do not mean to diminish the big picture. All I want to do is narrow it down to scope we can start with and the one I know we can start with is close to home. Right in out houses, churches, recreation centers and schools. Yes, we are all influenced by greater society, but we must start with what we can control.

We can control what our kinds do in our homes. We can control what comes into out homes. We can even control, to a certain, extent, what comes into our communities. does this mean that we can change everything at this level? Of course not, the problem is much bigger than that, but I am speaking of the things we can control and our children are a starting point.

Outside society is a much more difficult task because of its size but even that can be handled if we lay the proper foundation in our own community. This does not have to be an issue like solving world hunger. All we need to do is stop one child from starving, or in this case, going wrong. That starts at home, then into the neighborhood until they reach that first day at school when they are exposed to so much more, but if we have started right at home, perhaps the corrections will need not be so dramatic but rather minor course changes.

I say I don't worry much about white folks because they have shown a remarkable tendency to mobilize when it become necessary and I think that black folks are no less concerned and no less abole to mobilize, but what they do cannot be our first concern, our first concern has always got to be what we do because it is we who care the most.

Granted, the messages that come from the media, society at large and indiscriminate broadcasts has its affect in all the communities, but we can only try to change them as they are driven by profits. When we hurt the profits we change the commercial society and the comercialized child.

In no way am I in disagreement with you because to me there is no right and wrong as far as solutions are concerned. Anything that is positive, proactive and shows concern for our children is the right way. It is doing nothing that I am against.


Ra

I, again, agree totally with your last statement. I concede...

capitalism/commericalism=greed/death


Two questions:

What do you think of "communal living"?

Have you heard of "Powernomics" by Claud Anderson (I saw him on BET News about a weeks ago)?

Communal living has been a study topic for me. I have been investigating the ways of monogamy, serial monogamy, polygamy and polyandry for some time. It is intersting. You have provoked me into maybe doing apiece on it because a lot men and I suppose not a few women might think this is an answer.

Polygamy has at various times in history been accepted and encouraged, but I suppose you'd want to know the rest of the story? When the pros and cons are looked at, the many men might not feel so powerful about wanting to be involved in a polygamous marriage because of the great responsibility involved, including sexually.

I don't know much about Powernomics, but now I will be searching the web for a synopsis. I am always interested in new things.

Ra

Okay, when i see communal living, I'm not necessarily taking about polygamous and those such. I'm talking a bout several families, maybe single mothers, sharing quarters, expenses, watching the village. Can you see this happening, would you be down for it, what do you think would be needed to make it work.

many people don't want to share their cars, homes, etc. There are other cultures you do this here. I'm in Minnesota and there is a large asian and african population here, they do tend to pool their resources and help build for all of them.

POWERNOMICS by Claud Anderson

he says that we, black people, has to have plan in order and established before 2005. he has written a 5 year plan (I guess he may be on CP time) :)


hold on, let me see if I can find what I post from another board. I'll be right back.

Wait for me????

LOL!!!

I'm glad you stayed, that didn't take long at all, did it? :):):)

{{{{{{{sidebar, I should warn you, I'm a Leo. I've been reading Aqil readings. All that to say, I can be somewhat playful and sarcastic sometimes.}}}}}}}}

Okay back to our regularly scheduled program:

I found it, tell me what you think.

He hits upon alot of issues, some listed here:

HOw integration was the worst mistakes that ever happened.

Black folx are the only ones wanting to integrate

How other ethnic groups and minorities are coming here. They don't want to integrate buy pool their power and keep their power as that group.

That we will now longer be the second largest population (blacks) and hispanics, asians, and arabs will outnumber us in the coming years. Hispanics already do.

How the schools do succeed. They succeed at making the black child feel marginal, set them up to work for their companies.

He pointed out the about 98% of black people work for someone other than a black person.

The large number of black people working in the government sector (compared this to slavery)

WE don't have anything of real substance and value, such as product to offer to the masses.

WE ask other to come in and give us the things we need.

he has a website:

http://www.powernomics.com

I usually don't read these types of books, but I think I'm about to break down.

He also said we are lacking black leaders. WE have had no one step up and build up economically.

This book sounds like a must read!!!

Under measured circumstances, I would. It is clear that a pooling of resources can be beneficial to the community. However, within that community there would necessarily need to be firmly and clear established guidelines concerning group behavior and interaction. It is also at this time that the concept of property will also be challenged, so it would need to be dealt with beforehand. I am a firm believer that almosy any type of society can work as long as goals and consequences are made known and published first.

In the Western mode of thnking this would not be an easy accomodation considring Western notions of property and ownership and individuality. However, any thinking out side of the box is difficult at frist unti one becomes accustomed.

Clearly the benefits of raising children together, having constant father figures, an equal share of resources plus the support of other men and women could be very helpful. However, it is the nature of man (or woman) to try to dominate or to bring order from chaos and this probablity goes against true communcal living and instead creates a heirarchy of the most equal down to the less equal.

Still, it is a fascinating concept and one that I think is not out of the realm of possibilities in the African American community although adoptedreligions would play a serious role in detering its ever happening.

Don

You seem alittle pessimistic on this one. That's interesting.

Are you saying that you would want to dominate? also, do you think you could handle a relationship in a polygamous nature?

BTW, you have email...

I am just always suspect of human nature. It is hard to subjugate yourself unless you see a benefit in doing so. The problem is that we all see things different. That's what has screwed up our governments around the world. Most of them are failry decent forms of government, it just that people screw them up.

Myself? Polygamy. Under the rules it would be a most difficult task. When one man married several women, it is his responsibility to provide, protect and make a positive environment for the wives and family. On the other hand, the women of a polygamous situation have each others as helpers from everything to child rearing to sex. Who ever doesn't have a headache get to go. They have built in company for each other.

A man must perform his duty and as much as we men would say I'm up for that part, the reality is that we don't deal well with one woman without training and I suspect that a polygamous relation might just chase some men far away because of the enormous responsibility.

Still, the pooling of resources and the sharing of work could be beneficial to all, as well as, the variety of viewpoints, ideas and knowledge that could be accrued. It could be very stimulating and beneficial.

Ra

I have asked the question of polygamy with some people before.

I heard men say that they had problems dealing with just one woman.

and from the women, they don't want to share THEIR man.

so it would take like-minded and compatible people to make this arrangement work.

Men often talk about having more than one woman, but they want it in such a way that they are separate. When two or more women are suddenly are one roof--everything changes. Obviously sharing could be an issue. Generally, in polygamous societies the first woman is the one who pics the second, third, etc. Normally, these women come from her family unless the man has "mucho" dinero and can supply relatives with money and other things. Itis a not a cheap arrangement for a man.

Some societies allow men to choose the mates but as you can imagine this leads to jealousies that eventually make the man wish he would have stayed single. Polyandry among women is rare but not nonexistent. It has many of the same problems and men tend to be even worse companions. Strange isn't it. Culture sdetermines many of the reactions. It all depends upon what we are used to doing. In the United States, the concept of monogamy and ownership would be hard to dismiss.

First of all you need to really do the math on those statistics. Since most ofthose numbers are undefined (what is an assault exactly?) you need to be more specific.

My idea, first lets burn all the churches down, and we can do it by pouring gasoline on bibles, cool with me. And all this crap about parental control, geez, if we just knew, I mean really knew what parents did/do. we would talk a lot less crap about it.

I blame BUSINESS. It is funny how we place so much love on the altar of big business. Big business is running your media, it is big business that dishonors family by not pulling one but both parents away from many fmilys by seeing labor as a cost instead of an investment, that on the whims of the market gods fires tens of thouseand of people as a sacrifice for the next quaters profits or smaller losses. It is big business that dishonors humanity as employees, but sells your poverty stricken child the dream of a f'ing pair of shoes made by children in malaysia.

peep the move recognize, the debble on your tv!

I don't think anyone will disagree with you on this one.

but thanks for coming as you always do.

I wish i would have told you about this earlier, when Amun Ra was online. I would like to see how you two communicate. Well there's always later...

There is certainly truth in what you both have said, but to lay it all at the steps of capitalism is to side step individual roles in saying yes or no or even maybe. It is said that it now takes two people working to make today. I submit that it takes two people working if you want to live the way pictured in the popular media which includes expensive houses, cars, and life styles in general. We have bought into the corporate dream that more is better and yet we still find ourlives empty even when we are able to attain these things.

No we don't have time for our children if we work all the time. Perhaps we shouldn't have children if that is what we want to do. On the other hand, as a parent one thing I learned quickly was thatbeing a parent required sacrifices. I didn't buy new shoes for myself because my kids needed them. I didn't go on vacation to some exotic place so I could send my kids on class trips with their schoolmates. I made do with what I had so that my kids didn't suffer.

When I wanted to go to see pro football on Sunday, I went to see my sons play soccer. Friday nights it was basketball or football. I didn't start having a life of my own until they were in their mid teens. I'm not complaining at all. I have my life now. I have more than I need and I do as I please, while my children are now coming to understand that life requires some sacrifices.

OK--through preaching,

Ra

we need the talking stuff stop
and simply do something fast
the numbers don't lie
our children is fading faster
and to the hands of another child
yes Ra..... ya right in so many ways
nuff said !!!

Since I posted this there has been a drop in youth crime--it is not much, but perhaps they are outgrowing it or perhaps they are either dead or in prison, but there has been a drop--Ra



:cool:

I like this Ra, cause you went for the throat and didn't let go on this one.

What the statistics DON'T show is the number of our youth on Probation or Parole. That means the system already has a 'string' on them. Once they 'cross over' to prison--even as a juvenile--they get that 'prison' number which stays on for the lifetime of the person.

Ra, I know that you've sat in some of the juvenile court business from time to time. It's a true education...especially watching the 14 to 17 year olds fail to realize that Mama or Daddy's 'covering' for them when they DO wrong puts the judge in the role of discipinarian. And brother, they have no choice but to hand out the time.

However, the good news is that roughly ten percent of juveniles are causing the problems. The majority of our kids are NOT involved with the system and parents--be they single or couple--are doing the job.

Sadly, the 17 year old allegedly involved in the Sniper case, is being set up for the death penalty. Saw on the news today that HIS prints are the only ones on the weapon. Which means he may take the fall...alone.

What I did want to mention, since I do work in the courts and work with troubled youth who have 'racked up' FELONIES is the following concerning what to do IF your child is accused of a crime:

1) Never go into a courtroom without a lawyer for your child. Public Defender is good; private counsel with experience in juvenile law is best! Simply put, if the judge/magistrate/commissioner SEES that you have hired private counsel, they will think twice about maxing your child out...and will likely give them an alternative sentence and community service, depending upon the crime. If a parent can find money to buy a DVD player, or get their nails done on the weekend...they can find money to hire a private attorney to represent their child. Best to pay for a lawyer now, then paying for prison visits later. And no, it is NOT the lawyer's job to get your child off. It is the lawyer's job to make sure that your child does NOT get 'slammed' by the system...and to establish their innocence.

2) Never go for the plea bargain UNLESS it is in your child's best interest. The burden of proof is on the State...NOT your child...so don't fall for the 'okey doke' in the form of a plea bargain. While your lawyer and the DA may agree, the judge may not.

3) Remember the following: Their kids get Therapy, Our kids get time! I've watched it happen again and again. Our kids walk into the courtroom like they own it--arrogant, disrespectful, and not properly dressed. Other kids walk in with 'yes your honor', wearing suits and dresses. Who do YOU think the judge is going to put in the slammer, and who is going to walk free? Sure, the judge may be black, but the law is of no color.

4) In many sections of the country, the GED rules have changed! IF your child is a disciplinary problem in school, and is over the age of 16, the school CAN legally expell them and make them get their own education. One cannot take the GED pre-test until they are 17. IF they don't pass it in three tries, they can't take the GED regular test.

5) One clincher. Schools are using their own police forces to handle classroom discipinary problems. If a child strikes another child or teacher nowdays, they can be arrested for Battery, Disorderly Conduct, or Intimidation. If a child talks back to teachers, counselors, or administrators, they can be arrested for Disorderly Conduct. If a child frightens a teacher, they can be arrested for Intimidation. Some jurisdictions are talking about, or have placed Probation Officers in some public schools.

6) Another clincher. A parent can propose to the court, and be willing to pay for a treatment program of their own chosing. This will likely have the child 'diverted' for treatment, rather than warehoused in the justice system. Keep in mind that if the child does NOT comply with the treatment plan (and the court has people to monitor compliance) they will be 'maxed out'.

7) The final clincher. Each state is different concerning how far a juvenile can go into the system if they are accused of a serious crime. www.nolo.com will give you a state-by-state breakdown of what crime connects with what punishment, usually by age. A child of 16, for example, who may be involved with a carjacking, will likely be waived to adult court and tried there...and given PRISON TIME.

Ra, you are right. Parents DO need to regain and reassert rules in the home for their children...including warning them about who they hang out with. Adult criminals regularly 'use' juveniles to hold illegal goods, because--they tell them: "The courts can't hurt you!" Oh, YES they can...and have! Other juveniles that love to commit crimes will 'rat out' their friends faster than you can read my comments in this last paragraph.

The three main charges that will land a child in court quickly are Runaway, Curfew violation, and NOT going to school (Truancy). After a judge sees a child in juvenile court too many times, they will likely 'max them out' because the child is still defiant.

Just wanted to toss this in...because some of our kids are set up by their own peers. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. But, if we raise em right, the odds are on the parent's side and they will never darken the door of a courtroom.

Mike Ramey

Mike--thanks for the insightful reply, this is good stuff for people to know--you nailed when you said never go into court without a private attorney--to me that's almost the same saying you want to go to jail--I know many people can't afford one, but you say it right when we can manage to get all these other things, we can surely find the money to get an attorney--but that takes planning--but you are right--I certainly liked the line that "their kids get therapy and our kids get time." You ought to copyright that because it's on the money--we don't have the same luxuries even though this is 2002--the system is stacked against us--and we know it, so we shouldn't be surprised.

There is an old line that says when blacks go looking for justice that what we find is "just us."--there is a certain amount of truth to it, but just like we learned to play qa variety of sporting events and become good at them, we need to learn how to play the legal system because clearly it can be played, unfortunately, money is often the referee.

Ra

:cool:

Ra: Had to slip this one in here as well. Many courts do allow for members of the public to come in and observe the goings on...even juvenile courts, where the hearings are more of the 'controversial' nature.

In another section of my home state last year, a 17 year old was on trial for attempted murder. Going back to my previous post and the need for private counsel, the cost to defend that juvenile was MORE than $20,000!

You are right! To get justice these days likely will cost big money! That's why a parent or parents NEED to see who their kids are 'hanging' with...it might give them a real education.

Many jails, prisons, and juvenile corrections facilities also allow for young people and college students to tour them. If our young people got a good look inside, many won't want to GO inside. Plus, some jurisdictions have programs available for parents to bring their teens and kids in to 'get the down low' on what goes on inside of these facilities.

There are plenty of Black lawyers, defense lawyers, corrections officers, probation officers, judges and cops involved with the system. As one, our constant prayer is that OUR kids get the message that when one appears before a judge, its a fight for your future! A prison number or criminal record is a poor substitute for a few minutes of fun.

Mike Ramey

Ra: Can't help but to post this one too.

IF a child has a juvenile record, and are NOW over the age of 18 and have committed no new criminal acts, THEY can petition the court to have their juvenile records 'expunged', meaning 'wiped off the books'.

The Expungement process differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, in some cases it is wise for the juvenile to hire private counsel to help make sure everything...including the arrests...are wiped off the books.

What I find is that there are young men and women in their 20s walking around with juvenile records but have learned the lesson. I encourage them to find out how to get their juvenile records expunged and wiped off the books.

Again, check out www.nolo.com for more information. But the bottom line is that a juvenile record differs from an adult record, provided the juvenile is not 'waived' into the adult system for serious crimes...

1) A juvenile is NOT found guilty of a crime, they are found to be adjudicated delinquent...and found TRUE. Thus, while they have been arrested, they were NOT convicted of a crime.

2) Diversion programs are available but one must fight to get into them by NOT fighting with those in the system. The juvenile's attitude will determine whether or not those in charge of the diversion process will let them in.

3) And this is the key...many juveniles KNOW who's in trouble with the system, and who is not. THEY need to share that information with their parents. Together the two need to take action that the child stay away from the kids.

Last example. Earlier this year, the 17 year old son of a friend of ours was ALLOWED to 'sign out' of school by the parent. The 17 year old, while running around with another 17 year old was accused of Robbing a local business. Well, the friend of this kid 'rolled over' on him, and got released from jail...leaving the 17 year old of our friend to twist in the wind. Eventually, the evidence was discovered that this kid was not involved in the robbery (the first 17 year old)...and he was released from jail after a 3 day stay. Needless to say, he learned a hard lesson about who he should hang with on the streets.

Does your child have to learn the same hard lesson? I hope not.

Mike Ramey

this is the type of thing our young men and women need to know--thanks--Ra

:)