Tennessee has implemented a new law that allows parents to be fined for their children’s criminal behavior. This means that if a minor is found guilty of a criminal offense, their parents can be held responsible and be required to pay a fine. This law is aimed at holding parents accountable for their children’s actions and encouraging them to take a more proactive role in preventing criminal behavior. It remains to be seen how effective this law will be in reducing crime among minors, but it is a step towards ensuring that parents play a more active role in the upbringing of their children.
In Tennessee, parents can now face fines for the crimes committed by their children, according to a recent development. This new law has been put in place to hold parents accountable for the actions of their underage children. The fines will be imposed on parents if their children are found guilty of various offenses, including vandalism, theft, and assault. This measure is aimed at encouraging parents to take responsibility for the behavior of their children and ensure that they are raised with good morals and values.
Judges in Tennessee now have the authority to hold parents responsible for their children’s criminal activities. This means that if a child commits a crime, their parents could potentially face consequences for their actions as well.
Tennessee has recently passed the Parental Accountability Act as a law. The main objective of this act is to prevent children from engaging in criminal activities that might lead them to become serious offenders in the future.
As a parent, you may face a fine of up to $1,000 if your child commits a crime.
“It starts somewhere,” said State Representative John Gillespie, who helped make this a law. “Every crime starts somewhere, very rarely does someone just murder someone.”
The judge is given the authority to determine whether or not a parent should be fined under the new law. If a child is found guilty of a second offense, the fine can amount to $1,000.
Parents are provided with the opportunity to engage in community service under the law.
Juvenile Judge Sheila Calloway was asked whether she believed that the new law would deter juveniles from committing offenses, including violent crimes, as it ultimately relies on a judge’s decision.
“I do think that the Parental Accountability Act can have some effect on some of the parents and the youth,” she said.
According to her, rehabilitation is the way forward when it comes to dealing with juvenile crime. In case a parent is unable to pay, there are alternative methods to prevent such crimes. This was stated by her in an interview with FOX 17 News.
“Any child that is placed on probation can participate on that program,” she said.
Representative John Gillespie was asked by FOX 17 News whether he thinks it’s unfair for parents to be responsible for their children’s actions.
“You should think about that before having children,” he responded. “Having a child is their responsibility.”
In the upcoming legislative session, he plans to make it mandatory for judges to comply with this law, rather than leaving it up to their discretion.
