"This is a clear violation of his right to due process," said Allen.

Um, no dad, it's not. The kid was irresponsible and it bit him in the ass. Don't blame the city.

The lesson here should be that if you borrow something, return it. You don't get to keep library DVDs.

"Well, let me tell you something, funny boy. Y'know that little stamp, the one that says "New York Public Library"? Well that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole hell of a lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before: Flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What's this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Well, let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me. Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change the world, but what about that kid, sitting down, opening a book, right now, in a branch at the local library and finding drawings of pee-pees and wee-wees on the Cat in the Hat and the Five Chinese Brothers? Doesn't HE deserve better? Look. If you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped! Or: maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld; maybe that's how y'get your kicks. You and your good-time buddies. Well I got a flash for ya, joy-boy: Party time is over."

"And now the man who puts teenagers in jail - WHERE THEY BELONG....TV's Matlock!"

Damn you, texastag for beating me to the draw.

"The city attorney told me, they weren't concerned about due process. What they were concerned about was their DVD."

Half a million punitive and a six month to a year suspension of your license to practice law should fix that for you.

Why didn't he return the crappy movie?

If it's anything like library books, the library's info is stamped all over it.

And why go to the library? Download it off the internet like everyone else.

ne2d: If the city was so right, why did they reimburse the family and clear the kid's record?

'cause daddy's a fireman. He works for the city. Also, because the city is more concerned about their reputation than they are about a DVD.

But the kid is still at fault for being irresponsible. If the car dealer allows me to test drive a car and I don't bring it back, can I just say "I forgot" and be forgiven? The only difference is the value of the item. It's still a crime called "larceny by conversion."

lajimi: "The city attorney told me, they weren't concerned about due process. What they were concerned about was their DVD."

Half a million punitive and a six month to a year suspension of your license to practice law should fix that for you.

that would be fine if he said it BUT all we have is the dad's word and he lacks credibility. remember this is the same dad who started off with the lack of due precess statement when it appears that the guy got at least one court notice and ignored it. do that and don't be surprised if a bench warrant follows.

I was behind a guy at the library the other day, and the librarian told him that he had start making payments, he owed them $35. Then she checked out some more books to him.

the library here must be pretty lax. I still return all my stuff on time.

I got notice from the Library last year, that I still had a book checked out from 1971. I was in 5th grade back then. The fark part of the whole deal? They had to track me down, because I didn't live in that State any more. They wanted me to either return the book, or pay for the book plus fines. I told them to fark off. I haven't heard another thing from them.

Nayest: Yeah, libraries are so doomed and I could not be happier.

of course they are. Because I buy all my books brand new, read them once, and then just throw them away. It's the American way!

Who in the world pays $30+ for a DVD? Government, that's who!