Should Teen's Criminal Record Follow Him to College?
Judge says courts should inform Temple University that Lehigh Valley teen downloaded child porn
A Lehigh County teen convicted of downloading child porn will have his juvenile criminal record follow him to college, according to a court ruling.
A Pa. Superior Court judge says Temple University should be informed of the misdemeanor, which took place while the student was in high school, according to a WHYY report.
The teen's attorney has the right to ask for another review of the controversial ruling.
Do you agree with the judge's decision? Tell us in the comments section below.
The teen in question was also found guilty of one count of sexual abuse of children, according to Phillyburbs.com.
The Phillyburbs report says this ruling will open many questions about who juvenile probation officers are required to contact - what happens when a student tranfers from one school to another or takes online classes?
The Court issued this statement on the case, according to NBC 10:
"We cannot conclude that a child who is adjudicated delinquent of a felony presents a danger to elementary, middle and high school students, but ceases to present a danger once the delinquent child enrolls in college."
Duke
10:21 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
agree 100 percent
Haley
10:36 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Should be informed but kept private from students and teachers and not denied enrollment to education so there life can go back on track. Hopefully they learned from there mistakes.
slyfox
12:51 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Something this severe *should* follow this teen throughout his life. It is on a different level than say, nicking a music CD. Hopefully this will become the lifetime deterrent. Good luck to this child.
Daxton
1:10 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
It should and will follow him for the rest of his life. PERIOD. A person who has committed a crime no mater how trivial it may be, and is justly tried and sentenced, should cary that charge their entire life.
tamarya
1:36 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I personally say it depends on the charge, yes this is child pornagraphy, but was he looking at kids his age or little children? Was his sex abuse because he had sex with another teen and the parents filed charges even though his partner was willing or did he abuse a small child. If he hurt little children as a teen then his criminal record shall haunt him and he should be a registered offender, however if he was doing what we did as teens then drop the record and even the chargesor charge both teens involved.
slyfox
1:39 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
You mean to tell me you *did this* as a teen? That's what you said. Really? With all due respect, child porn is child porn. There is no gray area. There is no middle ground. Period.
tamarya
3:02 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I will not lie, I had sex as a teen. And there was no way my mom would have someone arrested, because she knew me, her teenage daughter was no sweet little princess either. Now if I was raped and not willing different story.
tamarya
3:04 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I understand laws were different in the 90's but kids are still kids, it was just different decades we were children.
bill frome
2:13 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Heck yes why not. Kids these days use their age as a crutch.
Michelle Schafer
2:18 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
was it *child* porn or was it a bunch of teens undressed? Big difference. If it was "kids" around his age, then it's normal curiosity and most kids don't consider that "child porn" since teens no longer consider themselves children. If it was small kids (elementary age) then yes, the school should know, but not teachers. Keep a monitor on his computer use, etc.
Sheriffchris
3:51 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Child Porn and Child Abuse are two very big indicators of a repeat offender. The school needs to be notified, could you imagine if he got a position involving little children.