09-15-2015, 10:08 AM
Normally I don't post these kind of stories, but I got nothing better to do right now. Also, I found this story more interesting after reading another article on Slate. This is the original article from Reason Magazine. Now I think a rough kiss could be assault. What do you think?
Teen Boy Kissed Girl on a Dare. Now He Faces Assault Charges.
Pikesville Middle School 13-year-old charge with second-degree assault.
Robby Soave|Sep. 11, 2015 4:37 pm
A Pikesville, Maryland, 13-year-old will be charged with second-degree assault for kissing a 14-year-old girl on a dare. The "assault" happened at Pikesville Middle School on Friday. Police were called to the scene.
According to WBFF:
No one was injured. Is that really surprising?
It's of course true that every 14-year-old has the right not to be kissed. I'm not saying the boy's transgression should go unpunished. What I'm saying is this: he should not be charged with assault. He's 13. Thirteen-year-olds do stupid stuff. They screw up. And when the consequences of their actions are as minor as this, it's better to reprimand them in a manner that does not involve the criminal justice system.
By all means, give this kid detention. Make him apologize to the girl. Tell his parents to teach him better manners. But don't charge him with assault. That would be a far greater crime than a stolen kiss.
Teen Boy Kissed Girl on a Dare. Now He Faces Assault Charges.
Pikesville Middle School 13-year-old charge with second-degree assault.
Robby Soave|Sep. 11, 2015 4:37 pm
A Pikesville, Maryland, 13-year-old will be charged with second-degree assault for kissing a 14-year-old girl on a dare. The "assault" happened at Pikesville Middle School on Friday. Police were called to the scene.
According to WBFF:
Quote:School officials took a report regarding a 13-year-old boy who kissed a 14-year-old girl during school hours. The unwanted kiss was allegedly the result of a dare made by students.
Quote:Police confirm that the boy is now facing a second-degree assault charge as a juvenile. No one was injured during the incident, police say, and disciplinary actions related to suspension or expulsion will be handled by the school system.
No one was injured. Is that really surprising?
It's of course true that every 14-year-old has the right not to be kissed. I'm not saying the boy's transgression should go unpunished. What I'm saying is this: he should not be charged with assault. He's 13. Thirteen-year-olds do stupid stuff. They screw up. And when the consequences of their actions are as minor as this, it's better to reprimand them in a manner that does not involve the criminal justice system.
By all means, give this kid detention. Make him apologize to the girl. Tell his parents to teach him better manners. But don't charge him with assault. That would be a far greater crime than a stolen kiss.