Four defendants step up with four attorneys. But the truly impressive numbers come in the form of years on earth compared to contacts with the system.

These four boys have only 68 years between them, and yet 15 contacts — plus four more for tonight. Putting up the largest numbers among them is a 17-year-old, who has six priors.

The charges tonight all contain the word "attempted." Attempted robbery, attempted assault and attempted escape.

The victim, who lives in their neighborhood, eluded most of their punches and kicks during the attack. He even managed to keep hold of the trophy that made him a target: his cell phone.

The attorneys for the foursome maintain that these boys were in the park playing basketball when this alleged "attempt" occurred.

"The park?" the judge asks. "What time does that park close?"

The defense attorney did some mental scrambling, and then took a leap of faith: "It is not technically a park, your honor. It is an open court. A very open basketball court that does not close at night."

The judge sighs and goes through each young man's record — and as he scans page after page, he becomes apoplectic.

"How can boys so young have had so many contacts with the system?" he asks no one in particular.

But then he looks at the ringleader's attorney: "What is going on here, counselor? Six prior arrests?"

"Well, your honor," the defense counsel parried. "Those arrests were mostly just for marijuana."

The judge is ready to explode. He doles out a good old-fashioned tirade to the young men. He demands change. He even lashes out at some of their relatives in the gallery.

Promising that this is truly the last break they will ever get from the justice system, the judge hands down curfews to all four. The youngest three must be home by 9 p.m. seven nights a week, and to the oldest boy, he says, "You sir, you are 18. We'll give you another hour. 10 p.m."

"And if I ever see any of you in here again, the bails will be, I promise, in the several-thousand-dollar range."