Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 02:21:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Steam Train <steam_t2000@yahoo.com>
Subject: Alternative Deterrence Chapter 3

Alternative Deterrence.
By Steam Train    (steam_t2000@yahoo.com)

Chapter 3: Charged.


Once he was dressed Daniel was lead out by the junior
officer into the office area of the station where
being still classed as a juvenile he was held separate
from the adult criminals.

Still being classed a juvenile also meant that his
formal charging with `Trespass', `Vandalism' and
`Public Nuisance' could not be done until his father
and lawyer arrived.

`Would you like a drink of water Daniel?" the junior
officer enquired of Daniel.

"Yes thank you sir" Daniel replied.

After that brief exchange he just sat next to the
junior officers desk watching all the activity of the
office flow on around him.

He had a feeling of unreality about the whole
afternoon but deep down he knew his whole life was
about to change, that this was no dream.

Eventually the senior officer reappeared.

"Ok Daniel, come with me please," the officer,
instructed.

They entered another interview room and Mr Green and
another man were already sitting at the table waiting.

Upon seeing his father Daniel forgot his shame and
nervousness and without thinking raced across the room
to his dad and wrapping his arms and body around his
seated father who was attempting to rise off his seat
and bear hugged him.

"Oh dad I'm so sorry" he blurted out with genuine
sincerity trying hard not to burst into tears.

Owen Green was extremely angry and annoyed at his son.
Daniel's actions, which would bring great shame to his
family and embarrassment and humiliation to his son
but at that moment all his anger, subsided and he
hugged his distraught son tight.

"I'm here for you son, it's alright" Mr Green
responded.

He glanced over at the senior officer whilst hugging
his son and smiled briefly. The senior officer smiled
and winked back.

Officer Burns could tell by this opening scene that no
matter what the court ruled in relation to Daniels
punishment, he was going to have family support
throughout the ordeals ahead.

So often the reaction of parents when confronted with
their delinquent children was not so loving. Some
almost disowned their child there and then, others the
officer was hard pressed restraining from taking
matters in their own hands there and then and
inflicting instant punishment. Still others refused to
believe their child was anything but an angel and
accused the police of making a dreadful error and
being vindictive.

When Daniel had calmed down his father said to him,
"This is Mr Andrews, he is a lawyer I have dealings
with through work. He will be advising us on the best
course of action to take in relation to your serious
misbehaviour".

"Hello Daniel" Mr Andrews greeted, "Looks like you
have gotten yourself into a tight situation".

`Yes sir" Daniel replied sheepishly.

"Well Daniel before you came in your father and I have
reviewed the evidence supplied by Officer Burns about
your actions and arrest. The evidence against you is
overwhelming. My advice to your father and he agrees
is that you plead guilty".

"The courts always look favourably on juveniles that
are sincere in their remorse. Pleading guilty will
help build a case to lessen your sentence. There is no
doubt in my opinion that with a guilty plea the court
will issue a Notification of Exemption from Wearing
Decent Dress against you and not sentence you to
Community Servitude".

Daniel gasped!

He had not even considered the possibility that he
could be enslaved, but he had suspected that the
issuing of a NEWDD would be the outcome of being
caught. Actually hearing both options confirmed by a
lawyer sent a shiver of fear and humiliation right
through his body.

`Now Daniel, Officer Burns needs to ask you some
questions about your activities at the old foundry. I
strongly urge you to answer them honestly and with as
much detail as you can provide. Your co-operation in
this regard will assist me in arguing for a reduced
sentence" Mr Andrews continued.

"Lying could result in the additional charge of
`Providing False Information' or non co-operation with
the questions could bring a charge of `Hindering
Investigations', you face enough charges as it is
don't make my job any harder and your possible
sentencing more severe " Mr Andrews instructed.

"I'll try sir" Daniel responded.

The senior officer who Daniel now knew was called
Officer Burns then preceded to ask him details of how
he had entered the foundry site. Daniel answered this
question honestly. However when Officer Burns asked
how many people had entered with him Daniel hesitated.


His father saw the hesitation and reminded Daniel of
Mr Andrews recent words.

"Ummm .... There were five other guys there sir, but I
went alone I just met up with then and started hanging
about with them" Daniel lied.

"What were their names Daniel?" Officer Burns asked.

I don't know sir I had only just met them.

`I see Daniel, so you went to the foundry alone but
when you got there you met up with these other guys"
Officer burns repeated disbelievingly.

`Yes sir"

"So you bought the spray cans with you?"

`No sir Ro .... I mean some of the other guys bought
them" Daniel replied.

"Why would strangers who had never met you before give
you their spray paint cans Daniel? Officer Burns
asked. "Your lying Daniel and you were warned about
the consequences of doing that". Turning to Mr Andrews
he said, "Looks like an additional charge sir".

Turning back to Daniel Officer Burns said, "Daniel we
have confiscated all the spray cans and they will be
checked for finger prints on Monday when the labs
open. If we should find that there are prints on the
cans that match any names on the contact list in your
wallet, then you are in even deeper shit, Daniel. I
will give you a minute to think things through before
I ask you again".

Daniel didn't know what to do. You never snitched on
your mates. He would be ostracised immediately they
found out he had told on them, but he didn't want to
suffer any more punishment than he was already facing.

"Well Daniel what's it to be" Officer Burns asked.

Reluctantly Daniel gave in and provided the names of
the five guys who were with him that afternoon.

He felt like his whole life was ending before he was
even nineteen. How could he have been so stupid to
believe he would not get caught?

His father made a comment to Officer Burns that all
the names Daniel had given were neighbours living
along Henson Avenue.

All Daniel could think of was how he could face them.
He had betrayed them to save his own butt from further
punishment. He would be reduced to a loner, one of
those losers who everyone treated with contempt. To
make matters worse he suspected he would soon be a
naked looser.

When the interview was completed a copy was given to
Mr Andrews and the Duty Sergeant came in and formally
charged Daniel with `Trespass', `Vandalism' and
`Public Nuisance'. As promised there was no charge of
`Providing False Information'.

Daniel was released without bail in the custody of his
father to appear at the Eastbrook Juvenile Court at 10
am the coming Tuesday.

As they walked out of the police station Mr Andrews
asked Mr Green to gather together copies of
documentary evidence supporting Daniels academic,
sporting and community achievements. Mr Andrews said
as a parting comment that he was going to need all the
help he could get to mount a defence for Daniel in the
juvenile court on Tuesday

It was a very sombre Daniel who sat next to his
equally sombre father on the drive home. They didn't
speak till just before reaching the turn off into
Henson Avenue. Daniel could sense the disappointment
his actions had caused his father.

"When we get home go straight to your room, shower and
get ready for bed. Your totally grounded till further
notice young man" Mr Green stated.

At nearly nineteen years of age it had been quite a
few years since his dad had spoken to Daniel like that
but Daniel wisely decided tonight was not the night to
assert his independence.

"Yes dad" Daniel replied meekly.

Then to let out his building frustration Mr Green
said, "Of all the people to do such a foolish thing
and have a NEWDD issued against you. Your mum and I
have tried to protect you from ridicule over your
transplant, now you have set yourself up for the whole
world to see your little problem. I would have thought
that alone would have made you stop and think of the
consequences of your actions".

"It wasn't like that dad, it was because I felt
somehow inferior that I wanted to impress them."
Daniel blurted out then stopping himself from saying
anything more.

"I can understand that feeling son, that's why we have
tried to protect you as much as we could from your
brother and sister finding out about you and taunting
and teasing you, but your lack of physical development
is no excuse to justify breaking the law".

"The law is so harsh these days. Though it appears the
police are treating this case under the Juvenile
Deterrence laws, If you had done this once you turned
twenty one we could have lost you forever to a
lifetime of slavery, we still could technically. I
couldn't bare the thought of that". Mr Green confessed
his voice at breaking point.

Daniel reached across and squeezed his dad's arm;
"Thanks" was all he said as a tear rolled down his own
cheek.

As soon as the car drove into the drive Eric and
Melissa came running out, followed by their mum. Even
Tom the household slave came to the door of the house
but kept a respectful distance.

"What's going on Dad? Daniel? they screamed out.

"Not now kids" Mr Green rebuked them strongly. "Daniel
off to your room .... Now!"

Mr Green drew his wife close to him and they walked
into the house, Eric and Melissa bringing up the rear,
Daniel was soon out of sight speeding quickly past Tom
and up to his bedroom and privacy from his curious
brother and sister to suffer alone in all his misery.


End Chapter 3.