As school shootings continue happening across the country, law enforcement and legislators have been trying to figure out ways to stop them from happening. One strategy has been to punish parents for their child’s crime, based on the idea that the fear of criminal charges could motivate parents to take more responsibility and take preventative steps.
A recent case out of Michigan in which the parents of a school shooter were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison has highlighted the developing trend to punish parents for their children’s actions. Their minor child was sentenced to life in prison without parole. While this is only the first time parents have been convicted for a school shooting that their child perpetrated, the case raises questions about the parents’ rights vs. their liability in such situations. Speak with a knowledgeable Chicago, IL criminal defense attorney to learn more.