I agree they killed an innocent person willingly and damn well sould have known better...they are to blame and should recieve a punishment...that is why I suggested the 10 year speaking engagement...that is a longtime and think they would have to speak weekly, if not more, for a decade about what they did...I think that would serve them much more so then throwing them in a box for 23 hours a day surrounded by the areas worst scum!! At their speaking engagements they would be able to impress upon young people the dangers of driving fast and recklessly and it would also allow the boys to truely realize what they did was wrong and not just a mistake...but honestly the worst thing in the world...to have to speak and relive those few moments every week...that's a punishment...have to raise money and awareness for their cause that's a POSITIVE PUNSIHMENT>>> the jail system, which they may get a few years in, will never help them or other young people like the speaches will...
Believe me when they did the drinking and driving class when I was a teenager...it was an older man, whom only got a dui and ran the prices for all the things he now has to pay for...who cares I sure didn't...he was not convincing and did a poor job at trying to convey his message...if you put those young boys, whom the students can identify with and who truely have a message of one bad judgement ruining lives, then you may in turn affect some change...if only in a few lives...that is something positive coming from something so horrible!!!!
Chipshot,,, if it was up to you what would your exact terms of punishment...time/place be?
I'd say kids who disregarded others' safety for a selfish thrill and who took the life of an innocent bystander are scum. They killed somebody and I don't think they are any better, or deserve any less punishment, because they were "good" kids before. I think your idea of talking to kids about them killing another human being is a good one, but they should have punishment as well as rehabilitation.
My 21-year niece just got a DWI, blew a .25 (!) and simply said to me, "No big deal. It's a $721 fine and I lose my license for six months, but I can still drive to school or work. It's the second one where you have to spend at least six months in jail that I'm avoiding." (Wisconsin, so I'm sure the punishment is different here.) She isn't taking anything seriously. I told her the judge should make her have mandatory alcohol counseling and she replied that it's a joke, just a bunch of people forced by a judge to get into a room to say they have a problem with drinking. Said half the time they all go out for drinks after the meeting. (She has a lot of friends who drink too much and she's met out with friends after the meetings.) I know she's trying to posture herself, but it's jail she's afraid of.
My younger bro-in-law has had a few run ins with the law, many small ones, home detention with an ankle bracelet, felony conviction, etc. One after another, after another. However, two years ago he had to spend 90 days in county jail and he hasn't broken the law since. Said it scared the sh*t out of him and he never wants to be "in" again.
It's a combination of punishment and rehabilitation that works. Not just one or the other.