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Chesterfield teens hold apology signs after breaking into cars

Posted at 9:18 AM, Dec 04, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-04 09:19:08-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - It is not a traditional punishment for breaking into cars, but Drew Martin and Nicholas Katzman were required by a Chesterfield Judge to hold signs off the side of road expressing remorse for their actions.

"I broke the law. I got in trouble for larceny and Chesterfield County sentenced me to hold this sign that says I stole from my neighbors and I'm sorry," Nicholas Katzman said.

The young men held their signs at the intersection of Hull Street and Cosby High School over the weekend.

"I was facing a lot worse so I would rather do this than go to jail or anything," Katzman said.

In addition to holding the signs, Katzman and Martin say they served six days in jail and had to pay restitution.

As for whether or not penalties like this are common, CBS 6 Legal Analyst Todd Stone said no.

"I haven't seen it around here but maybe this will put it in the heads of prosecutors and maybe we'll see this more often," Stone said.