Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Sometimes unfortunately, the juvenile system, just gives you slap on the wrist. And they don’t think there’s any kind of penalty, and they don’t really realize, like, this is real. It’s almost kind of a game for them, but they’re just kids. I saw this on TV. Why can’t I do it? No, it’s not…it’s TV. But again, that’s where you have to reach them, they’re not on that cognitive level. And then I think it’s really, really important to explore something that the kids love, to get them into that. Sometimes they may need testing. You know, let’s get us a psychological idea of where this kid’s at. And what can we do to avoid this?
Because most of the time they’re not stealing because they need to eat, it’s boredom. Mad at your parents, for whatever reason. You’re angry with them, you’re angry at the world. If we can change something, a lot of the times the state attorneys watch that child and if the child… they watched them progress. And many times, they will get rid of the case if they see…what an amazing progression that child’s made. Because we don’t want him to go back.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“All right. So, are they on probation when that occurs? Or is it just a deferment…”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Depending on the court case.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“Okay.”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Get him into counseling, get him into volunteering and get him into this…. by the time they go back, they’re standing before the judge as a whole new kid.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“Got it.”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Not the kid who skipped…not that kid. The kid who went to school, the kid who did the extra projects, the kid who decided he’s going to volunteer.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“Wow.”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Different kid.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“How long can a period of time last?”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Hopefully a lifetime!”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“I mean, no, no, no. I meant…”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“You know, it depends on the judge. I mean, sometimes it can go six months to a year depending.”
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
“Oh, quite a long time.”
Regina Tsombanakis– Criminal Defense Attorney – Broward County, FL
“Time working with a kid, and you’re trying to get through to them. A lot of the Judges will help you do that because they are children.”