The burglary and assault are Brandon's second and third offenses and more serious than his first. Is it time for Brandon to get a wake up call? Does he need a taste of jail? Or is probation a better option? Why? 2. How much weight do you give the probation officer's report that Brandon is more of a follower than a leader? Does this influence what kind of sentence he gets? Why or why not?

3. Brandon has problems in school and is repeating the 8th grade. Should anything be done to help him in school?

4. Should more counseling be arranged to help Brandon deal with his feelings about the divorce and limited contact with his father? Is this any business of the court? Or is Brandon old enough to deal on his own with the good and the bad sides of divorce?

5. In passing sentence, should a court take into account a young person's family life? If so, how? If not, why not?

You Be The Judge

6. Based on the information available, what should Brandon's sentence be?

Your Response to the Judge's Decision

7. Are you surprised by the Judge's sentence? Why or why not?

8. Was it harder or easier on Brandon than your sentence? In what ways?

9. What part of the Judge's sentence do you agree with? What part do you disagree with? Why?

10. Is there anything missing from Brandon's sentence? What is it and why is it important?

11. What do you predict will happen to Brandon?

Final Thoughts

12. Was Brandon's case handled the right way? Why or why not?

13. Have you ever been tempted to go along with something that was illegal or wrong? What did you do? Looking back, would you do anything differently?

14. What makes some kids leaders and others followers? Is it sometimes hard to take a stand and not go along with the crowd? What makes it tempting to join in an unlawful act, rather than passing it up?

15. Do you think "high impact" or "scared straight" programs (like having kids visit jails) stop kids from committing crime? Why or why not? Have you or someone you know ever participated in such a program? What impact, if any, did it have?

16. Do you think Brandon will continue to stay out of trouble?