Teen thief mocks judge, thinking he's untouchable—until his own mother intervenes
Ryan looked trapped, his bravado faltering. “Mom, you can’t just…”
"Yes, I can," Karen interrupted. "Because if I don't, you'll be in jail before you're twenty. Or worse, you'll be in a coffin because you went too far." The bailiff shifted uncomfortably.
Karen wiped a tear from her cheek. "Your Honor, I can't save him anymore. If you think jail time will help, send him away. If you think a harsher sentence is needed, accept it. But please—don't let him walk out of here thinking he can continue living like this. He needs to know he's not above the law. He needs to know that even his own mother won't tolerate his lies any longer."
The prosecutor was surprised by the unusual turn of events. Judge Whitmore leaned forward, intertwining his fingers. Ryan stared at the table, his fighting spirit fading.
For the first time, the teenager lost his composure. His smirk vanished, replaced by the vague realization that his mother was no longer his shield. The prosecutor stepped in, proposing a year in a juvenile rehabilitation center, emphasizing the importance of structure, counseling, and vocational training over mere punishment. The lawyer, clearly aware that the case was slipping away, admitted that some form of intervention was indeed warranted.
Judge Whitmore issued the following order: "Ryan Cooper, I hereby sentence you to twelve months imprisonment in the Franklin Juvenile Detention Center. You will be required to complete mandatory therapy, an educational program, and community service in the same neighborhoods from which you stole. If you fail to comply with this order, you will be transferred to adult court upon your eighteenth birthday."
