really shocking story from us - 17 year old boy sentenced to 10 years for getting oral sex from a 15yr old!

[Aloha]

American justice is evil sometimes. I feel quite upset about this boy.

Another case in today's times about a mother and stepfather both going to prison for over two years for allowing 16 year olds to drink some beer at a birthday party at their house. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/ article1913167.ece

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/ article1913168.ece

How old do you have to be in the US before you can legally own a gun, I wonder?

What a dreadful story Aloha poor boy

Poor boy in the first case and poor parents in the second. Both convictions and sentences ludicrous. Says judge in the second wanted to make an example of them because a teenager had died drink-driving recently - well, duh, that's precisely why they had the party at home!

Christ. Frankly - seriously - I would really much rather teenagers explored sexual options that won't result in pregnancy!

God how sickening. Poor sod.

How intensely depressing. Make an example of people where NO drink driving occurred and no-one was hurt?

"In Virginia, you can buy a rifle or shotgun at 18 and a handgun at 21. You can own a rifle or shotgun at any age.

? In Massachusetts and New Hampshire males can marry with the consent of a judge at 14 and females at 12 and 13 respectively. Residents of Mississippi can marry at any age with legal consent

? Americans can join the army at 17 with consent"

I saw an article about 'giant pigs' - the biggest one in America had been shot by an 11 year-old out hunting alone with a gun. No comment about that at all. This is a country where children can marry (and presumably have sex). The federal nature of the US of A has a lot to answer for - some states do not deserve the status of 'civilised'.

He has been in prison from the ages of 17 to 19. His parents must be in agony.

fecking ridiculous

and sad

And a criminal record for life.
Race has to be an issue, here.

The more I think about this the more upsetting it is. His life is ruined.

The oral sex one is ridiculous.
The other one...well not sure about the sentence but the mother was an idiot. How would you feel if your teenager went to another adults house and they were passing around cigarettes? She broke the law, what did she expect?

Well, for giving 16 year olds a beer (none of the teenagers were over the legal limit btw) and saving them from drunk driving, I don't suppose she expected to lose her job, her home, her marriage and her children for more than two years. Her youngest child is still at school! I think it is brutal and totally wrong.

i find America truly terrifying sometimes. I feel so sorry for that poor boy and the parents in the other case. I just hope somehow that common sense will be restored and the boy will get released soon.

Ridiculous sentencing. I hope the boy wins his appeal - it doesn't say whether the 15yo girl gave testimony, perhaps she's not allowed to as an 'aggravated child molestee'.

I think the first story is very sad indeed and I realy feel for the poor kid and his parents.

Second one. I agree that the sentence is harsh but it does seem that she was bonkers to even give booze in the first place. It seems that there was so little given to the kids that she might as well have not bothered anyway.

If an adult gave alcohol to my 16 year olds at a party I'd be pissed off no matter how little was given. It's different when the kids get it themselves by whatever means but for the parents to supply it is a different situation and I would expect her to have acted more sensisbly.

Bloody hell. This is a disgrace.
I find lots wrong with UK society and justice, but compared to the US I think we are paragons. Who can really thjinbk this is right?
Is it still illegal (theoretically) to give a BJ in Georgia? Seem to recall some Deep South states have this law.

Oh look America bashing... what a surprise.

about the second one, how irresponsible for her to provide alcohol to 16 year olds. sentence v harsh, but what was she thinking?

Not America bashing at all - just aspects of its justice system Elusis.

Do you agree with these sentences?

stories are linked all over the world - who says it's american bashing?

Ummm, this particular aspect of America, yes.

trhe UK gets bashed on here for plenty of other things. And this is a state thing - enshrined in constitution, law etc - it's not a few individuals giving the place a bad name. Do you stand by America's laws and implementation of them, in this case, Eluesis? If so, tell us why - that would be a better challenge and debate than appearing to take it personally.

Don't agree with the sentences. Way too harsh.

But to generalise into saying things like "American justice is evil" and "I find America truly terrifying sometimes" and "compared to the US I think we are paragons".

All of America isn't like this. And someone else uesed the word "federal". Most states make their own laws. So, if you want to criticise the laws (and fair enough -- some should be criticised) you need to alk on a state level, not a national level.

I think the American legal system is often terrifying, and there seems to be no way out for these people trapped by horrific unjust laws.

I actually said American justice is even sometimes - as clearly demonstrated here!