Juvenile Justice...
As most around here know, the city of Clayton is in a twist after a public hearing where the city discussed revoking or suspending a local business' alcohol license, because of allegedly serving alcohol to a minor. The parents of the children in question brought the matter to police, who in turn brought the matter to the city, for the civil process which is necessary to take an action against a businesses license. I'll have more comments on that process when I've finished reporting on it.
But because of this event, councilman Mike Smith brought up the C-word at a city council meeting... That word? Curfew.
Now I am truly and violently opposed to any curfew. Curfew laws presuppose guilt based on age, and are a despicable violation of the right to assemble. Children traveling to or from extracurriculars, or even to the corner shop to buy milk for their mother are made violators, and treated like drug dealers and gang-bangers.
If I was still below the age of consent, I would make it my business to stand on the street after curfew every day, assembling with my peers in a political discussion. I would than sue the city or county into the stone age, if they infringed on my right to engage in a political assembly. The headline would read, "Councilman's wages garnished by Middle Schooler." Now I know that children do not have the same rights as adults, and with reason. I believe however that those rights which are not possessed by a child are held in trust by their parent. It should be up to the parent to determine when their child may or may not be on the streets, and for what purposes.
The answer to preventing children from taking up a life of crime is not to treat them like criminals. This is becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead the goal should be to empower children to act like adults, and understand rights and responsibilities. Something like this:
Jury of your Peers
But because of this event, councilman Mike Smith brought up the C-word at a city council meeting... That word? Curfew.
Now I am truly and violently opposed to any curfew. Curfew laws presuppose guilt based on age, and are a despicable violation of the right to assemble. Children traveling to or from extracurriculars, or even to the corner shop to buy milk for their mother are made violators, and treated like drug dealers and gang-bangers.
If I was still below the age of consent, I would make it my business to stand on the street after curfew every day, assembling with my peers in a political discussion. I would than sue the city or county into the stone age, if they infringed on my right to engage in a political assembly. The headline would read, "Councilman's wages garnished by Middle Schooler." Now I know that children do not have the same rights as adults, and with reason. I believe however that those rights which are not possessed by a child are held in trust by their parent. It should be up to the parent to determine when their child may or may not be on the streets, and for what purposes.
The answer to preventing children from taking up a life of crime is not to treat them like criminals. This is becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead the goal should be to empower children to act like adults, and understand rights and responsibilities. Something like this:
Jury of your Peers
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