Whatever you call it, the latest phenomenon for some teenagers is practiced on the most vulnerable members of society. “Sport killing,” “wilding” or just “amusement” beatings of the homeless is on the rise. In the first half of 2008, 13 homeless people were killed. In 2007 there was a reported 160 non-fatal incidents. Not all involved teens but some did.

In read more>

A young couple in Germany placed their newborn for sale on eBay in May, 2008. The ad read: “Offering my nearly new baby for sale, as it has gotten too loud. It is a male baby, nearly 28 inches long and can be used either in a baby carrier or a stroller.” Starting price was one euro [$1.59 U.S.]. The auction ran read more>

Who broke the law, we broke the law

i got locked up for hitting my brother in the jaw

i got caught with cocaine and a gun

now im locked up and i cant see the sun, now im in jail it aint much fun                                                                             

im tired of my mother throwin water in my face

she get me so tight i threaten her then read more>

Last week, twenty-nine 7th and 8th graders at Readington Middle School in New Jersey decided to protest the length of their “lunch hour.” Since they were given only 30 minutes for lunch, they each brought 200 pennies to school to pay for their $2.00 meal. This amounted to 5,800 pennies causing a problem for the cafeteria staff and delaying service to the rest read more>

In February, 2008, an envelope containing $5.00 was missing from the teacher’s desk. It was decided that the 17 third-graders at Martin Luther King Elementary in Kentucky would be searched. They were asked to take off their shoes and socks, and some were patted down and had their pockets checked.

The physical contact with the kids violated school policy and the four instructors involved received a written reprimand. Physical contact is limited to kids who pose a threat to themselves or others. The search failed to turn up the missing money.

For more on school searches go to the “You and School” category on this site.

The January issue of a junior high school newspaper in Des Moines, Iowa, came out with a little kick to it. Tiger Tracks included a recipe for hot chocolate that included peppermint schnapps. Once discovered, school officials pulled all remaining issues off the racks. Stilwell Junior High Principal Tim Miller described the oversight in the editing process as an innocent mistake. The student who submitted the recipe thought schnapps was candy, not liquor. [Associated Press]

In 1988 the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case about school censorship and its relationship to student expression on campus. This was the Hazelwood case that dealt with articles written by the school’s newspaper staff about teen pregnancy and divorce. Take a look at “Do I have complete freedom of expression at school?” under the You and School category on this site.

A security camera caught two Blythewood High School students kissing on the school bus in South Carolina. In October, 2007, junior Dominique Goyner and his girlfriend were expelled for the remainder of the school year. Reportedly the buss on the bus lasted for about two minutes. The discipline was based on violating the school’s rule prohibiting sexual behavior.  The school district stands by its decision stating that “a simple kiss read more>

That’s right. Earlier this month an Iowa mom found alcohol under the front seat of her 19-year-old son’s car. No ticket, charges or court was involved. Mom placed an ad in the local newspaper: “Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. . . .Call meanest mom on the planet.” And this was after owning it for just three weeks.  Cool or not? What do you think?   [Mom and Steven on ABC]

Starting January 1, 2008, at least three states are cracking down on teen drivers and distractions while behind the wheel.

In Oregon, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a cellphone, blue tooth or texting when driving. A ticket brings a $97.00 fine.

In Washington, using a cellphone or texting while driving results in a $124.00 fine.

In Nebraska, cellphone use read more>

Did you know that your life is impacted everyday by decisions made in courts? The United States judicial system exists to provide “justice for all” including tweens and teenagers. Since you don’t have the same legal rights as adults, what happens when you challenge the system and take an issue to court?

Below you will read about several teens who read more>

Driving while texting [DWT] has the national spotlight. Country singer/songwriter Taylor Swift [”Our Song” - “Teardrops on My Guitar” - “Tim McGraw”] participated on a panel of teen judges in Allstate’s Holiday Holla competition. The contest challenged teens across America to rewrite traditional Christmas carols with new lyrics about smart driving. Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens in the read more>

13-year-old Megan Meier lived in a small Missouri town. She suffered from depression and thought she was overweight. In late 2006 she had a falling out with a girlfriend who lived down the street.  About the same time she met 16-year-old Josh Evans on MySpace where they corresponded for a month or so. Then Josh sent her some cruel messages calling read more>

It’s not just carbonated drinks and cupcakes that are off-limits at many middle schools - the ban has grown to include playing tag on the playground and yes, even hugging a friend.

13-year-old Megan Coulter, an 8th-grader at Mascoutah Middle School in Illinois hugged two friends goodbye last Friday. In doing so, she violated the school’s policy prohibiting any “display read more>

In the true spirit of October’s baseball season, we salute two of many schools that stepped forward to assist with the wildfires raging in California. Schools in San Diego were closed last week. Several, however, stayed open to be turned into shelters for volunteers.

Taft Middle School immediately opened its doors to the American Red Cross. Principal Mike George, Vice Principals read more>

This section of Askthejudge.info contains true stories about teens and crime. From ages 9 to 17, they all spent time in custody - either in juvenile detention, the juvenile department of corrections and/or prison. You’ll read here about three young people who broke the law and came before my court for sentencing. The facts are exactly as they happened –nothing has read more>