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Originally Posted by Brett
I know this won't be popular, but I don't know that I would press charges either.
1. I simply don't believe it emboldens others to try the same. This kid will be on youtube for millennia as an example of how not to behave. Do you really think charging a kid with misdemeanor assault in TX is going to stop a 17 year old kid in Oregon from committing misdemeanor assault in the heat of the moment? Please.
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Well if the kid in Oregon or anywhere else follows this example he should be so duly punished.
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2. I'm an adult that realizes that "kids" occasionally make mistakes. I don't think there is anything that the criminal justice system is going to teach him that he hasn't already learned at this point.
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What the criminal justice system will teach him is what happens when you make a mistake. Obviously, he has not completed his education in right and wrong. What if this player's "mistake" had caused some serious damage to this official would will still be here debating whether this mistake should or should not be punished?
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3. I simply don't demand a "pound of flesh" for a "pound of flesh". Some might deem that weak - I disagree. In this situation, I don't know that I'd feel wronged enough to tag a "kid" with a (deserved) record.
I respect and understand the argument on the other side. I guess I just don't find this situation to be as black and white as some.
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While the age of the player is unknown if he is under 18 he gets a juvi record which is sealed at 18. If he is over 18 there are several courses of action especially for a misdemeanor that will not impact his future. In some jurisdictions he could get an action in contemplation of dismissal which could hang over his head for some period of time. If he did not commit future crimes it would be dismissed with no record showing.
There are ways to punished and help this young man complete his education in responsibility and right and wrong.
I personally find it preposterous that the "I will not do it again" letter suffices for his actions and like one post said, in my day the court would have been at home in back of the wood shed.