Kathy,

You wrote...

"         This is why most kids today don't take the rule of law
seriously.  Neither the school, nor the courts really mean what they
say  and the kids know it"

You nailed that one. Why make rules if there is no method of policing them.
They are a false sense of security for all involve, plus enrodes to udder
disrespect for authority and eldership.

Brad