Young Boys Charged with Felonies in Beekeeper Vandalism Case

 Posted on February 22, 2018 in Uncategorized

As the saying goes, kids will be kids, but sometimes, juvenile mischief can cause significant damage and land minors in serious legal trouble. When people under the age of 18 commit a crime, the law usually treats them much differently than an adult. Children and teenagers do not have fully-developed cognition skills and will often act more impulsively than their adult counterparts. This is not to say that minors should not be held accountable for their actions, but the courts generally focus on rehabilitation of minors convicted of a crime instead of punishment. Nevertheless, juvenile crime is punishable and can result in imprisonment, expensive fines, community service orders, and more.

Boys Destroy Beekeeper’s Business

Although vandalism is considered by some to be a victimless crime, the reality is that vandalism can cause damages which are not only costly to repair, but devastating to those whose property has been ruined. One such example of this is an instance that recently happened in Iowa. Two young boys, aged only 12 and 13, trespassed on property owned by beekeepers. The boys then smashed every single one of the beekeepers’ 50 beehives and destroyed their shed and the tools in it as well. The senseless act of vandalism caused $60,000 worth of damage and resulted in the death of 500,000 bees.

Three weeks later, the local police department arrested the two minors. They have been charged with three felonies: criminal mischief, offenses to an agricultural animal facility, and burglary. They have also been charged with one aggravated misdemeanor for possession of burglary tools. Because the defendants are minors, the case will most likely be held in the juvenile justice system. Had the boys been tried and convicted as adults, they would be facing fines of up $10,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.

Has Your Child Been Accused of a Crime?

Hearing that their son or daughter has been arrested is one of the most distressing things a parent can experience. If your child has been accused of a crime you may been overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. An experienced Joliet juvenile criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the situation and your child’s rights and responsibilities, as well as create an effective defense. At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C., we will do everything in our power to prevent your child from being convicted. Contact us today for a free case evaluation at 815-740-4025">815-740-4025.