Kids For Cash Discussion Questions Assignment
1. Which moments in the film jumped out at you? Did you have strong reactions to any particular stories? Which ones and why?
• The film Kids for Cash shocked me from beginning to end. As a judge, Civaraella was supposed to be a role model for the Luzerene County. He stated he wanted to kids to view him as the “biggest SOB”, if it means that they will learn how to behave in school. Everyone makes mistakes, especially as a child. It's a shame that out of thousands of children he may have encountered during his time as Judge, the five we know about committed absolutely no deviant crime, and I think that truly bothers me the most. We all know the statistics of repeat offenders are very high and unfortunately …show more content…
But to say that whether youth had counsel or not it didn’t matter because Civaraella was going to send everybody away is ignorant. These parents trusted in the system, though they were confused they persuaded them into believing that things were going to be just fine. The parents probably understood because they knew the “crimes” that they child committed were non-deviant crimes. Unfortunately for Hillary, her mother waived Hillary’s right to counsel under misleading circumstances. If she was a bit more educated in knowing her rights she could’ve fought harder to get her daughter proper representation. The implications of a public defender assuming that a client’s fate is already determined exhibits that the system is poorly represented and they’re doing things in the best interest of themselves and not for these children. In this specific scenario I would say that the Judge and public defender is responsible for the kids getting put away. You just don't take advantage of twelve, thirteen, and fourteen year old like this and as a public defender they should have done everything in their power to make sure it was understood that it is legal for you to waive your right to counsel but its great to have one as well. I believe as public defenders under Judge Civaraella they were like his puppets …show more content…
The problem with the columbine shooting was that parents and teachers were ignoring the signs from the two lost boys who killed many and then themselves. I don't believe a zero tolerance policy will make anything better especially if you’re not locking up ones who actually have committed a deviant crime. As a child, you are changing, going through puberty and may act of character but that doesn’t mean you are going to commit a crime. For example, Hilary made a comment stating that she wouldn't leave the school if there was a shooting because she would remind that person “hey remember when I gave you pencil” and she was reported to her probation officer for allegedly knowing someone who was going to shoot the school up. Rules of this nature may make schools safer but I believe they are going about it the wrong way. Detentions, suspensions, and expulsions play a great role in showing children if you misbehave you will be reprimanded one of those three ways. Now if a children is still lost, and probably still misbehaving that's when you start to seek counseling from the child to get to the root of why the child is the way that they are. Maybe they are going through things at home, or bring bullied in school so they turn to being bullies
1. Which moments in the film jumped out at you? Did you have strong reactions to any particular stories? Which ones and why?
• The film Kids for Cash shocked me from beginning to end. As a judge, Civaraella was supposed to be a role model for the Luzerene County. He stated he wanted to kids to view him as the “biggest SOB”, if it means that they will learn how to behave in school. Everyone makes mistakes, especially as a child. It's a shame that out of thousands of children he may have encountered during his time as Judge, the five we know about committed absolutely no deviant crime, and I think that truly bothers me the most. We all know the statistics of repeat offenders are very high and unfortunately …show more content…
But to say that whether youth had counsel or not it didn’t matter because Civaraella was going to send everybody away is ignorant. These parents trusted in the system, though they were confused they persuaded them into believing that things were going to be just fine. The parents probably understood because they knew the “crimes” that they child committed were non-deviant crimes. Unfortunately for Hillary, her mother waived Hillary’s right to counsel under misleading circumstances. If she was a bit more educated in knowing her rights she could’ve fought harder to get her daughter proper representation. The implications of a public defender assuming that a client’s fate is already determined exhibits that the system is poorly represented and they’re doing things in the best interest of themselves and not for these children. In this specific scenario I would say that the Judge and public defender is responsible for the kids getting put away. You just don't take advantage of twelve, thirteen, and fourteen year old like this and as a public defender they should have done everything in their power to make sure it was understood that it is legal for you to waive your right to counsel but its great to have one as well. I believe as public defenders under Judge Civaraella they were like his puppets …show more content…
The problem with the columbine shooting was that parents and teachers were ignoring the signs from the two lost boys who killed many and then themselves. I don't believe a zero tolerance policy will make anything better especially if you’re not locking up ones who actually have committed a deviant crime. As a child, you are changing, going through puberty and may act of character but that doesn’t mean you are going to commit a crime. For example, Hilary made a comment stating that she wouldn't leave the school if there was a shooting because she would remind that person “hey remember when I gave you pencil” and she was reported to her probation officer for allegedly knowing someone who was going to shoot the school up. Rules of this nature may make schools safer but I believe they are going about it the wrong way. Detentions, suspensions, and expulsions play a great role in showing children if you misbehave you will be reprimanded one of those three ways. Now if a children is still lost, and probably still misbehaving that's when you start to seek counseling from the child to get to the root of why the child is the way that they are. Maybe they are going through things at home, or bring bullied in school so they turn to being bullies