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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Charging parents in the kids’ crimes can be tricky

Sep 12, 2024 | 6:00 AM

YOU’VE ALL HEARD THE PHRASE, “a double-edged sword.” Essentially it refers to a situation that can have either a positive or negative result.

For some years now, when young people commit a crime, those on the sidelines ask, “Where were the parents in all this? They should have seen this coming and done something about it.”

Sometimes parents do play a role in their kids’ actions. And for that, they need to be held responsible. They have to take their share of the blame. A parent in Georgia has been charged with a number of offenses relating to his son allegedly having shot and killed four people at his high school. He used an AK-style gun, a dangerous weapon even in the hands of an experienced shooter. But this kid was just 14, and he was given the gun as a gift from his father. And this, right after the FBI showed up at their door because this boy had been in trouble before.

What were you thinking, Dad?

Charging parents in connection with the crimes is becoming more common, but it’s tricky — although in this case, it seems like a slam dunk. If the allegations are proven in court, the father could spend most of the rest of his life behind bars.

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But most cases are not that simple. With so many kids these days suffering mental health issues, parents often don’t see all the symptoms. And when they do see issues, the kids often back away and don’t listen. That’s the nature of parenting these days. And there are lots of cases where even the most caring parents find their efforts bear no fruit and bad things happen. “Why didn’t I see this coming?” is a common lament.

As I said, these issues require much due diligence and charges should not be laid against the parents in such cases unless there is strong evidence the parents had a responsibility they didn’t act on. Parents need to be accountable, but the court needs to proceed with an abundance of caution to avoid unfair charges the parents cannot be responsible for.

Tricky indeed.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.