Juvenile detention for pinching another boy's nipple

[alicia-w]

That seems a bit severe to me

Oregon teen heads to juvenile detention for pinching another boy's nipple

GOLD HILL, Ore. — A teen who pinched and twisted another boy's nipple while standing in line at a deli has been sentenced to four days in juvenile detention because he refused to write a letter that explained his actions.

The 16-year-old, was convicted of offensive physical touching in July 2005, after the victim's parents complained to Gold Hill police. The Crater High School student paid a $67 fine and served three days of community service.

"I emptied trash cans, mowed lawns and shoveled gravel," the teen said.

But the teen's refusal to comply with the final piece of his sentence will cost him four days in detention. He was required to write the letter during four classes put on by Mediation Works, which operates the victim-offender program for Jackson County Community Justice.

Mary Miller, executive director of Mediation Works, said the purpose of the letter is to prepare teens to be accountable for their offenses.

"They don't have to apologize," she said. "But they are required to be accountable."

The offender is required to describe the act in detail, explain "thinking errors," "express empathy" and describe any resultant life changes.

Miller said the program is "often a very, very healing experience between the victim and youth offender."

The teen said he presented a rough draft of his letter in the third session. He said he balked when told he must also describe his "criminal thought processes."

He said that would imply malicious or criminal intent, and "none of that applied to my feelings or actions."

The teen said he had no criminal intent because he considered the victim to be a friend at the time of the incident — which he deemed horseplay. Including the language sought by Mediation Works, he said, would turn his prior court statements into lies.

"It was a matter of conscience," the teen said. "I figure the worst is already over."

Ken Chapman, a Community Justice juvenile probation supervisor, verified the teen's sentence.

"The judge found a willful violation of the court order," Chapman said.

[gtalum]

All that over a "purple-nurple"?!?!?

[TexasStooge]

[tropicana]

It's no wonder the court systems are so back-logged, when you have these senseless cases that have no right in court in the first place.

-justin-

[george_r_1961]

He was sent to juvenile hall for contempt of court for not following the judges instructions. The article plainly states that. I hope he learns two lessons from this. First dont be twisting nipples and second when a judge tells u to do something, better do it. The act of contempt, even though it isnt called that in the article, is separate from the original offense. A more common occurence is a person getting a traffic summons for lets say speeding and then ignoring the summons and not going to court or paying the fine. An arrest warrant is issued, not for speeding but for fail to pay fines. Sorry if it sounds like in nitpicking but I thought this needed to be clarified.

[Scorpion]

Are you serious . This happens ALL the time at my school. Friends do it all the time to eachother.

[GalvestonDuck]

Good thing docs in the ER don't get in trouble for it.

[azsnowman]

Are you serious . This happens ALL the time at my school. Friends do it all the time to eachother.

OMG YEAH.....geesh, when I was in high school (1972-76) some of the stunts WE pulled especially in the locker rooms, my GOD, can you IMAGINE what would happen TODAY......."30 years to LIFE" for snapping someone with a wet towel!

Dennis

[Lindaloo]

He was sent to juvenile hall for contempt of court for not following the judges instructions. The article plainly states that. I hope he learns two lessons from this. First dont be twisting nipples and second when a judge tells u to do something, better do it. The act of contempt, even though it isnt called that in the article, is separate from the original offense. A more common occurrence is a person getting a traffic summons for lets say speeding and then ignoring the summons and not going to court or paying the fine. An arrest warrant is issued, not for speeding but for fail to pay fines. Sorry if it sounds like in nitpicking but I thought this needed to be clarified.

Yep, you are absolutely right. It is easier to read about the nipple instead of deciphering the actual facts in the article. Well done because I would have missed that point too.

[greeng13]

diito that Lindaloo and george_r!

Don't mess with a judge unless you have a damn good atty...and even then it is not a good idea.

[coriolis]

1. Sheeessshhhh how times have changed. This prank was widespread when I was that age too. We called them ti**ie twisters. See how bad things have gotten? - I can't even spell that out. I think that we're in a new victorian age.


2. He could have written something to explain himself. That would have been easily finessed. It's good to have principles, but a carefully worded tract could have satisfied the judge without selling out.