Comments on: Teen Sentenced for Porterville Library Fire

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 18:47:01 +0000

While I don’t advocate throwing the baby out with the bathwater mentality this Judge’s judicial judgement does comes across as on the lighter side when it comes to making a lasting impression on this youngster. Of course the devil is in the details, which wasn’t covered in much depth in this article. 100 hours equal 4 days of community service. That is unacceptable. Probation? How long? Until the age of 21 or what? How is restitution to be paid? In actual dollars or community work until paid in full? Will the parents be responsible for monies paid or will a percentage of the minor’s future earnings be attached until paid in full. Continued counseling after release from J.V.? Will counselor and sessions be monitored by a court appointed counselor to assure compliance? Will the court appointed counselor advise the court if minor isn’t responding to treatment? Appropriate punishment and rehabilitation should be the goal.

By: Dissapointed in the law

Dissapointed in the law — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 02:48:33 +0000

This is why drug dealers have kids dealing on the street for them. Kids don’t suffer the same consequences that an adult would. These kids could not say they didn’t know it was wrong to light a fire in a building full of books. I assume the parents would have taught them at home that playing with fire is wrong. This judge should be recalled from the bench for excusing these kids from a punishment that was deserved. Lives of those public servants were lost, those men chose to help their community and this is the reward they get? They are heros for going in when they thought others were still in the building but this tragedy should have never happened. Maybe if we charged the parents for child neglect since they did not teach their children correctly at home!

By: DDuenas

DDuenas — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 03:14:38 +0000

People say DA Tim Ward is never at juvenile court. He picks one case that he thinks will make him look tough, makes one trip out, then brags about sitting with the families. His stunt accomplished nothing but reinforcing he’s a self promoting, out of tune, politician. God Bless the families and fallen heroes. They deserved better.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 02:28:24 +0000

There are those who would have tried these kids as adults even though they clearly are not. How many 13-year-olds actually function as a mature adult? While most can tell right from wrong they also are dealing with emotional and physical changes that accompany puberty. Their moods, stresses and peer problems shift minute by minute. Mood disorders are quite common around this age. They can make poor choices or decisions that make no sense. They often struggle to think about the consequences of their behavior BEFORE they act. It’s so easy to overlook that their brains are not fully developed. And these are the 13-year-olds that have stable homes, parent(s) who are engaged in parental participation and school activities. Take out home stability, engaged and enlightened parent(s), school participation, etc; life becomes a far greater crapshoot for them. If you think about it there is a common phrase that has been used to describe some younger teens…….. they have shit for brains. Some have remained emotionally stunted throughout their entire life. Anyone who is advocating for years behind prison walls for these kids has never had to deal with situations such as this on a personal level. Pray that you never do.

By: Monache1988

Monache1988 — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 23:43:46 +0000

DA Tim Ward needs to go. His staff can’t even get justice for victims. The families of these firefighters should demand his resignation.

By: David Martin

David Martin — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 22:23:40 +0000

The sentence is a joke. The kid will probably brag about what he had gotten away with.