A couple of months ago, my car was stolen.  I reported the vehicle stolen to
the local sheriffs department, and due to a police scanner being in my car,
the report was filed nation wide.  However, the contents of the vehicle,
including said scanner, where not entered onto the stolen property report.

Less than 24 hours later, three juviniles were arrested while driving my car
at high speed near my home.  One attempted to claim he was an adult with a
different name, but subsequently told the truth after an hour or so in the
county jail.

The driver confessed to stealing the car, while the other two claimed to not
know the car was stolen, due to being high on pot. (yeah, right!)

The car has suffered severe mechanical damage, and the property in the car
was either stolen or destroyed beyond repair.  Estimated losses to me total
over $14,000.00, and there appears to be no way to recover the losses or have
my car repaired.

What makes the matter worse is California's stance when it comes to minors
who break the law.  Unless someone was actually killed, or raped, there is
nothing that they will do short of a slap on the wrist.  They won't even be
cited for speeding.  The standard penalty for grand theft auto for minors is
10 days in Juvi., and then they are released.  An adult who commits the same
offense is sentenced to state prison for a couple of years.

It gets worse.  According to the probation report, all of these minors are
headed for state prison at their current rate of law breaking, unless they
stop after they turn 18 years old.  In each case, the parents actualy condone
and encourage their child's behavior.  The families have turned a profit from
criminal activities, while I as the victim am now without transportation and
out of business.  The two minors who were passengers have requested jury
trials, and have actually tried to say that I gave them permission to take my
car anytime they wanted.  This negates their claims that they did not know
who owned the car.  In fact, all three knew the car well, since a room mate
of mine has a fifteen year old daughter who regularly invited these three to
the house.  It also would have taken all three to push this car out of the
driveway (1978 Malibu, GVWR 4800 lbs, loaded with video & computer equipment
and supplies, pushed uphill).

There appears to be no recourse, except maybe against the parents for their
part in their children's behavior.  However, since this is not a personal
injury case, I must now come up with thousands of dollars to pay attorney's
fees and filing costs and take the parents to civil court.  The criminal
courts, while agreeing that laws had been broken, refuses to punish the
minors who did this, nor make them pay for repairs to my car or replace
stolen or destroyed property.  The parents can file bankruptcy immediately
after being ordered to pay for this themselves.

Is there no justice?  What can be done to get my car fixed?  Can I publicize
the names and descriptions of the minors involved?  I am disabled and have a
very limited income.  If anyone can answer, or maybe recommend a lawyer who
can help with this, I'd appreciate it.