"Do you support fining parents when their children get into serious legal trouble?"
(asked at Crossroads Shopping Center on 02-13-97; published in the EJ on 02-16-97)

Charles Smith, Artist, Bellevue


"I don't think you can legislate that kind of thing -- it's up to the judiciary system. I don't think there can be one blanket law to cover all situations. There are so many different situations. In some cases, yes -- in some, no. It's up to the judge to make that decision."

Bud Fleisch, Retired, Port Orchard


"I don't think you can do any absolute decisions on something like that. There are a lot of parents who are derelict in their duty but there are more parents who are good parents. I think we should probably have it on the books but it should be used with great discretion."

Stephanie Lahaye, Restaurant assistant manager, Bellevue


"It's a really difficult issue. I'd say yes because parents should be responsible in bringing up their children the right way. But I'm not sure that a fine would make the child more responsible. If the parents split the fine with the child -- share it -- it would make them all responsible. Of course, that's idealistic."

Hugh Sullivan, Software systems engineer, Kirkland


"I guess it depends on the severity of the trouble the child has caused. I think to varying degrees the parents should be held responsible, but there should be some limit to the parent's responsibility. Unfortunately, even though you're a parent, some things are still out of your control... But I think this will make parents more aware of their responsibilities and what their kids are doing and steer them in the right direction."

Karen Robins, Pre-school teacher, Bellevue


"I guess that I would be for it -- I would hope it would work. They have to look at each individual family situation."

Liorah Terpstra, Manager, Bellevue


"Yes, but only if the children are held responsible as well... I think minors should be held equally responsible. I think it will serve its purpose but I don't think it'll cause parents to be better parents. But if it prevents one crime from happening, great."

© 1997 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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