Juvies › Ep. 108

‘Dale and Jeff’

Fifteen-year-old Dale is taken into Juvie for running away. While he told his mother he was going off to band practice to play the drums, his mother called the police claiming Dale had split. When he arrived home, the cops put on the cuffs and dr...  Full Episode Summary

Fifteen-year-old Dale is taken into Juvie for running away. While he told his mother he was going off to band practice to play the drums, his mother called the police claiming Dale had split. When he arrived home, the cops put on the cuffs and dragged him to the center.

When the intake officer asks if Dale is nervous, the teen says he's glad to be out of his mother's house. He hopes that his time in Juvie may help him enter into the custody of his father, so that he can escape constant screaming matches with his mother. In fact, Dale welcomes his bare room in the juvenile center -- while others may complain about the cold, he's feeling calmer and more relaxed by the minute.

But, a visit from mom sends Dale back into a bad mood. While his mom tells him he hides behind his anger, Dale argues that she's the one with the problems. Saying she only keeps him around to receive his child support check, he asks her to leave.

After his dad calls, Dale's nerves are set at ease. His father tells him that he has a lawyer coming with him, and he plans on taking care of him.

When Dale's mother takes the stand at his trial, she says she committed her son to the hospital in the past because of his creating disturbing pictures and poems. After a closer reading of the documents from the hospital, it becomes apparent that his mother has never been able to produce the dark images or writings. When Dale testifies, he explains his rough relationship with his mother, asking the judge to place him with his father. Although the judge does declare him a runaway, she agrees to let him go home with his dad.

Seventeen-year-old Jeff lands in cuffs after shooting a BB gun. When one of his friends came over with a gun, Jeff wanted to try it out. The manager of the complex saw the gun, and thinking it was real, had the police raid the house. Although he's never been in serious trouble before, Jeff is arrested for criminal recklessness.

When Jeff's mom comes to visit, he knows instantly that she's disappointed in him. But, even though Jeff thinks he's going to be in serious trouble, his mom tries to reason with him, saying that stupid decisions can lead to serious negative consequences. She suggests he straighten himself out and find new friends.

At the trial, Jeff becomes nervous when he sees Judge Bonaventura on the stand. Since all of the other boys have said she's strict, Jeff worries that she will detain him. When his mom takes the stand, she explains that Jeff is a regular teenager, having never gotten into serious trouble before. But, when Jeff takes the stand, his knowledge of BB guns hurts his case. The judge is weary of his expertise when it comes to the guns, but ultimately decides to let him go, ordering hours of community service.