Questions to Consider Before Sentencing Jennifer 1. Does Jennifer need to be punished, provided treatment for her drug abuse, or both? Why?

2. Jennifer is only 13. How does her age influence the sentence you give her? Would jail time be too harsh for her? Or would it send the right message?

3. If Jennifer were 16 or 17, would you feel different about her activities? Should we expect a 13-year-old to know about the consequences of shoplifting, breaking into someone's house, and using drugs?

4. Jennifer's family is poor and struggling to make ends meet. Should you take that into account? Why or why not?

5. Should you get involved in trying to help the family? If so, how?

6. Do you think Jennifer should be taken away from her mother and put into foster care temporarily, until her mother can provide a better life? Why or why not?

7. Is poverty or a hard life ever an excuse for crime? If so, how? If not, why not?

8. Should Jennifer be made to go to school, if the money she makes working helps support her family? A 13-year-old who works is a violation of the child labor laws. Should you look the other way and not discuss this with Jennifer and her mother in court? What message would that send?

You Be the Judge

9. Based on the information available, what should Jennifer's sentence be and why?

Your Response to the Judge's Decision

10. Are you surprised by the judge's sentence? Why or why not?

11. Was it harder or easier on Jennifer than your sentence? In what ways?

12. What part of the judge's sentence do you agree with? What part do you disagree with? Why?

13. Is there something missing from Jennifer's sentence? If so, what is it and why is it important?

14. What do you predict will happen to Jennifer?

Final Thoughts

15. When Jennifer ran away to her father's house, she didn't get into any more trouble while she was there. Would you have put Jennifer in jail for 15 hours because of that probation violation? Or would you have given her a different punishment?

16. Has your family ever had financial problems? How did that affect you?

17. Do you know someone like Jennifer, who has made the best of her life despite obstacles? What kept that person going?