Bail is to ensure that a defendant shows up to court, not to make a point, [Lael] Chester [executive director of Citizens for Juvenile Justice] said. "As an advocate, I would never say we shouldn't have [bail set]," Chester said, "but you want to make sure it's done fairly, accurately, and justly."

The judge claimed that he evaluated the boy's flight risk and that "sending a message" was a mere byproduct of his bail decision. But a 12 year old with no money and no chance to find a job to support himself isn't a serious flight risk. In any event, the judge's comments show that he wasn't concerned with the likelihood that the kid would show up in court. He criticized "parental apathy" and he accused juvenile offenders of "not taking responsibility for their actions." Sounds like a judge using a bail hearing as a soap box.

It also sounds like a judge who isn't paying attention to crime rates.

Advocates also criticized Lewis for his comments that youth violence is "out of control."

"Juvenile crime is at an all-time low," Chester said. "I think his comments sort of make people think we're in a crime wave."