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.