What a change there might be in society if parents just thought to do a little bit of enforcement in their households.

But in defense of our American moms and pops, many have no idea what I'm talking about because where and when they grew up they never heard of these types of regulations. I'll bet good folk will respond indignantly by saying that they raise their kids not to steal, shoplift or engage in any other kind of petty theft activities.

So what's the problem, here?

There she goes complaining again, some readers are already muttering while asking, "What is it this time around?"

Are my columns really complaints, as one reader who sent me a long letter regarding my "attack" - as she called it - on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for their lack of governance in regards to the Department of Children and Family Service?

Raise you hand if you've been or know someone who has been hauled into court with a minor kid - Julio, John or Jamal - and a fine was levied against them for being out after curfew, being in a fight, bullying or being a truant.

Often times, the judge allows the fine to be worked out by community service but along with that penalty comes the high probability of the kid being placed on probation. And any violationof probation can land the kid smack into juvenile hall.

Yes, kids who are out after curfew, which is often set at 10 p.m., can be stopped by an officer and arrested.

"But he wasn't doing anything!" Tell that to the judge. Whether or not the handcuffs get clamped on the kid, is truly at the discretion of the officer. "It's summertime and kids are just out because it's hot," one might argue.

I received an e-mail from a long-time acquaintance who wondered: "I can never understand these individuals who allow their children to be outside after 9 or so at night, or even after dark in crime areas. This kid who was recently struck by a hit-and-run driver at 1 a.m.? What the heck was he doing out at that time? He should have been home in bed. And these people who stand out in front talking with friends - what fools. The police crime load would be substantially reduced if people would just stay inside at home at night."

TG, my e-mail correspondent, makes a good point as curfews are pretty much established for the safety of the community.

Then there's truancy which is defined by California Ed Code 48260 with a lot of conditions, details and possible penalties.

Fighting and bullying aren't taken lightly by the state, either, or by the long arm of enforcement agencies.

Learn all about the laws that regulate minor children as ignorance is not an acceptable plea. Order, for free, The California Bar Foundation publication, Kids & The Law, an A-Z guide for parents. E-mail kids@cakbar.ca.gov or by regular mail at Kids and the Law, Office of Media and Information Services, The State Bar of California, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639.

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