Notice: No one got hurt No property was destroyed or damaged So, should this kid's life be ruined by a felony conviction? http://www.ky3.com/news/ktla-senior-prank-sex-doll,0,98991.story?track=rss
My mind about these issues was made up when my 6yo 1st grader was sent to the principal's office for hitting another child- after that child had kept talking in her face and had ignored her requests to back up. I understand security, I really do. But at this point schools completely overreact to any sort of child-like misbehavior. My one.. defense (and a weak one) is that the 'child' here was over the age of 18. Someone should have told him that, as a legal adult, he had a higher standard to stick to.
Wow. Just wow. The picture in the article doesn't help garner any sympathy for the school either. That's one cute kid with "mischief" written all over his face. Poor guy.
I think they are overreacting big time. He did nothing so warrant being labeled a felon the rest of his life. They are probably just wanting g to make an example out of him, esp since they had to call in the bomb squad and all.
I think Stephanie's right -- I would have thought that after all the scare, they'd be relieved that it wasn't a bomb and begin to see the humor that was intended... Too bad the young adult didn't take a minute to see how others may perceive his "joke".
I could see him getting into this amount of trouble IF he had called in a bomb threat or tried to make it look like a bomb, etc. But for a harmless prank of this nature? That is WAY too extreme. Why is it that this kid gets 8 years for leaving a blow up doll in a restroom, and Casey Anthoney gets time served? Such an unjust world we live in....
To be fair, he's just been charged with a felony that could result in that time and prosecutors have said they won't seek jail time but I still think it's ridiculous. Having a felony on your record for this??? There used to be a little room for pranks like this in schools.
And that is a huge deal. In many states, felons can't get government assistance for anything. Finding a job is nearly impossible. Many colleges won't admit a felon. The repercussions are endless, really. If it hits his record, he'll never be rid of this.
The type of felony has everything to do with whether or not they can find employment or attend college. The type of felony will impact whether or not he can vote. Contrary to popular belief, all felony charges do not follow people all their lives. We happen to know more than a few felons and some of them vote and their felony no longer appears on their record. A few of them even work for the government because they are or were charged with non-violent felonies. With that said, I do believe a felony charge is overboard whether it follows him all his life or not. While I do think his prank was stupid; sneaking onto campus after hours, his intent should be an important factor in the choice of charges brought against him. He DID make a stupid choice and DID stir-up fear. Still, the prank was not felony worthy in my opinion but definitely worthy of punishment.
The college I attended will not admit any felons, regardless of the nature of the crime. And my husband's employer will also not hire any felons, regardless of the nature of the crime. So I stand by what I said.
I'm no employer, but I'd also think a DECENT job would be seriously concerned about a charge for, what did the article call it? Institutional mischief? Then again, after a relative of my dh's stole from patients in a nursing home, I thought she'd never work again. However, she did manage to get hired somewhere much less reputable. So who knows.
Stand by it all you want. That's great. I mean that in the nicest way. :love: I guess if this young man is living in your state then his life is ruined if charged as a felon. Still, it doesn't change the fact that their ARE many felons who are hired and allowed into colleges and allowed to vote. Again, that depends on the nature of the crime. Plus, as far as I am concerned, why shouldn't they be allowed to if they straightened out their lives. The way I see it is there are plenty of people who live not so good lives; a criminal lifestyle. The only difference between them and charged felons is they haven't been caught yet. :lol: So if a felon is able to get back on his feet and change his life, then I applaud the employer who allows for second chances. Jesus did!:angel: I guess all this is beyond the point though. Back to the original post. Sorry if I took off on a side road.
Can you imagine trying to explain that to a potential employer when you're 40? or 50? "I have a felon on my record because I took a sex toy to school." I might not even bother.
