[Stone Mountain]

If they really wanted to slug this thing out, I think they'd have grounds on the basis that a court cannot force a person to apologize for something. To do so is to force a person to admit guilt; something anathema to our justice system.

Judeges have gone way further than this. They have forced offenders to carry signs or wear T-shirts that trumpet their guilt. And if I recall correctly, many Freepers were in favor of these kinds of tactics.

[AmishDude]

If the kid was exploited by his parents as you speculate despite their denials, forcing his apology is a more exploitive act on the part of the judge.