Legal Question in Criminal Law in Oklahoma

students and stolen school property

A student of mine has stolen an expensive item from our agriculture shop. the student is under eighteen years of age and is known to consort with drugs and persons who use and or sell drugs. the student does not know that I know that he has stolen the item and is willing to sell it back to me for xxx amount of dollars. The law enforcement in town have offered to put up the money for me to buy the item and help them catch the student with the stolen item. What are the legal ramifications if I do this? What will the student recieve as punishment, first offense. What problems could I be setting myself upfor?


Asked on 2/16/03, 12:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Herb Southern The Southern Law Firm

Re: students and stolen school property

Tough love is a difficult concept. The real question is why would you want to condone such behavior? I think that you should remember that children are creatures of reaction. If their behavior is reinforced, then it will repeat and most likely escalate along the way.

He needs to be stopped now and before his behavior ends up with a ski mask, a gun, and an unsuspecting dead clerk at the local convienence store.

You ask what you may be setting yourself up for? Well, his rehabilitation involves his also taking responsibility for his actions. Undoubtedly, he will blame you for his trouble, but I would suggest that this is a feeble excuse for inaction. Remember Kitty Genovese who was bludgeoned to death on a New York City street as onlookers watched. These onlookers "did not want to get involved". Personally, I think that as an educator that you should also educate outside the classroom to make citizens, not just ex-students. Other Attorneys may differ, but that is how I see the world.

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Answered on 2/19/03, 2:02 pm


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