the judge, legally speaking, but morally, it could only come from the Cheer coach in this instance. If that were your mom, sister or daughter, would you be quick to go easy on the 18 year old bozo?
I say the judge should sentence the boy to shovel and salt her driveway all winter, and door dash her food (free of charge, payment picked up by his parents). Perhaps she could find mercy after seeing his sincere service.
Well, that's how a small town judge in a Hallmark Christmas movie would handle it anyway.