New parent fine for kid's gang activity

OTHELLO — Othello parents could be fined up to $5,000 if their child commits crimes related to a criminal street gang.

OTHELLO - Othello parents could be fined up to $5,000 if their child commits crimes related to a criminal street gang.

Othello City Council passed the "Parental Responsibility" ordinance Monday.

According to the ordinance, a parent, legal guardian or an adult given permission to have care or custody of the minor youth can be held responsible for crimes committed by the youth in the form of a penalty. If an adult allows or does not prevent the minor from violating any criminal law related to association with a criminal street gang, they can be penalized up to $5,000.

The penalty is imposed to recover damages to the city caused by the actions of the juvenile, according to the ordinance. Damages can include vandalism such as graffiti.

"In determining the amount of the penalty upon finding the infraction was committed, the court shall impose a penalty sufficient to recover all costs to the community of law enforcement for investigation and arrest, for detention, for prosecution, for judicial services, for probation and or community supervision, as well as all damages caused to property or injuries to persons," the ordinance states. "Any court ordered restitution related to the underlying criminal conviction that has already been paid shall be a credit against the amount of the infraction penalty."

If the juvenile is convicted of a crime, they will be required to participate in a juvenile court diversion program.

In addition to the damages sustained to the community by the juvenile, the court can impose a $100 penalty against the parent for the first offense, a $250 penalty for the second offense and a $500 penalty for the third offense.

For the adult to fail to prevent the juvenile from breaking the law, it is considered a civil infraction against the adult.