Posts Tagged ‘Drugs’
Should high school students be subjected to random drug testing? That’s a question the Davis Board of Education is considering saying “yes” to.
Photo: Francis Storr
A vote among school board members came out with five members voting for and two against the preliminary random drug testing policy. The policy would allow every high school within the Davis County boundaries to randomly test five students each week for a variety of substances.
Which Students Would be Tested for Drugs?
According to reports, the drug testing policy was requested by school administrators and parents. As currently written, the random drug testing would affect student government officers, student athletes and cheerleaders. If given final approval, the policy will go into effect next year.
Although there wasn’t a lot of opposition at the recent school board meeting, once people get a chance to consider the concept more fully it will be interesting to see whether the random drug testing policy is easily approved or if there are more people who speak out against the potential governmental intrusion into their kids’ personal lives. After all, children have rights, too—as far as we know.
Do You Have an Opinion on this Issue?
What’s your opinion on random drug testing of high school students? Also, do you think it makes sense that only the athletes, cheerleaders and student leadership will be tested? Maybe there are some more questions that should be answered before a final decision is made. If you have concerns either way about this issue, don’t wait to contact the Davis School Board.
Kids Need Legal Representation Too
You should know that if your child ever ends up in legal trouble there are excellent Utah juvenile defense attorneys available to help him. It doesn’t matter whether his problems are drug-related or a different offense. One of the best ways to help your child is to talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: attorney, crime, drug testing, Drugs, high school, law, offense, utah
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Social media can be fun, interesting and even useful. Sometimes it can lead to problems, particularly for juveniles who don’t realize the dangers involved in social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Photo: Randy Pertiet
Watch What You Tweet
A couple of Utah teens are now feeling the repercussions of their Twitter time. The girls were arrested after one of their parents went through her daughter’s phone and found out about a marijuana get-together planned by the two girls and an 18-year-old male.
Police intercepted a text from the man to the girl’s phone and arranged to have him pick up both girls in front of their middle school. When the man arrived, police arrested him, even though he said he believed the girls were 16. After searching the man’s vehicle, he was charged with multiple crimes, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The girls allegedly were both in possession of a small amount of marijuana and are being investigated.
Don’t be a Bystander in Your Kid’s Life
The parents in this situation deserve kudos for keeping an eye on their kids. Obviously they couldn’t keep their children under constant surveillance, but when illegal drugs are involved it always better late than never.
Your kids may resent your “interference” in their lives, but it makes sense to keep tabs on what they’re up to, who they hang out with and their texting and social media habits. Your parenting may save your child from situations they can’t possibly foresee at their age.
Get Help From a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney
If you have a child who’s already made some mistakes, don’t wait to contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Kids need legal help just as much as adults, but they rely on parents to make that decision for them.
Do your child and yourself a favor by talking to a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: crime, drug, drug use, Drugs, juvenile, marijuana, offense, School, teens, underage, utah
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If you have a teen whose driver’s license has been suspended or denied because he’s been convicted of a juvenile offense, you might be interested in trying to have that suspension or denial shortened or lifted. There is a legal motion that can be filed to make such a request, although filing a motion concerning a juvenile ‘s driving privileges doesn’t guarantee you’ll get what you want.
The state of Utah admits that filing a motion to shorten a teen’s driver’s license suspension or denial can be complicated. You may want to discuss your child’s case with a Utah juvenile defense attorney before (or instead of) attempting to handle a complex legal procedure on your own. You are under no obligation to talk to an attorney, but having a Utah juvenile defense attorney on your child’s case may help immensely.
In order to qualify for shortening the time period of driver’s license suspension or denial, your child must:
• Have completed at least 6 months of the suspension or denial if you were 19 but not yet 21 on the date of the violation
• Have completed at least 2 years of the suspension or denial if you were under the age of 19 on the date of the violation
• Have completed the drug or alcohol screening that was ordered by the judge as part of your sentence and
• Completed any required assessment
• Completed any necessary substance abuse treatment
• Completed any required drug or alcohol educational series
• Not have been convicted of any motor vehicle law violation while driving
• Not have illegally drunk any alcohol
• Have done what’s required by the court, including not violating any probation
Talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney today if you believe your child is ready to make a motion to have his driver’s license suspension or denial changed. We understand the challenges that families face and are ready to help your child in any aspect of his juvenile court case.
Tags: Alcohol, child, crime, driver's license, driving, Drugs, juvenile, license, offense, teen, utah
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Several Utah kids have been suspended from elementary school, and one arrested, following a police investigation into a drug scheme that may have been organized by the juvenile who was arrested.
The juvenile arrested is an eighth-grader from a local middle school. Authorities believe that he would purchase marijuana from another individual and then pay the other kids—sixth graders—to pick up the drugs. Police think that the drug dealer lives somewhere near the elementary school attended by the younger kids.
The sixth-graders were all suspended from school; the older child heading up the drug scheme was suspended and arrested. He is being investigated for drug distribution and over 150 counts of child endangerment, all of which are class A misdemeanors.
Offenses in Juvenile Court
In an adult court, every class A misdemeanor charge comes with the potential penalty of up to one year in jail. Unless the child in question’s case is transferred to district court, he will be under the purview of the state’s juvenile justice system where his actions will be treated more as offenses then crimes, although he may still spend time in a detention facility if a juvenile judge deems it appropriate.
Although this incident may be a bit surprising, local school officials seem to think it is an isolated situation and not a sign of bigger drug problems in the elementary school system. Hopefully that is the case.
Discuss Your Child’s Case with a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney
When you have a child who has been arrested, whether for drug-related charges or something else, you should seriously consider contacting a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Kids who have committed offenses need and deserve help, particularly legal assistance. Do your child a favor and talk to a top Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: child, court, drug, Drugs, juvenile, juveniles, kids, marijuana, School, utah
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A conspiracy involving drug-spiked milkshakes sent two California parents to dreamland while their teenage daughter and a friend had unlimited Internet access.
Photo: jamieanne
Using the Internet Past Curfew
Apparently the girl wanted to use the Internet past her curfew, so in order to facilitate her wishes, she and her friend put prescription sleeping pills in a couple of shakes and gave them to her parents. The girls were arrested and booked on suspicion of conspiracy and purposefully mixing drugs with food, while waiting to find out if they’ll officially be charged with a crime.
What is Conspiracy?
In Utah, conspiracy is an inchoate offense, and you may be guilty of conspiracy when you agree with one or more people to engage in conduct and any one of the “group” commits an overt act to try and further the conspiracy—all along intending that a crime be committed. Except when the offense is a capital felony, a felony against the person, arson, burglary or robbery, a person doesn’t actually have to commit an overt act in order to be charged with criminal conspiracy.
As we’ve noted in the past, the Utah juvenile justice system is designed to assist in rehabilitating juvenile offenders, not to send them to prison or jail for lengthy sentences. It’s important that kids who show remorse be given the chance to try and redeem themselves and make reparations for negative behavior. Given the opportunity, most kids will work to turn their lives around and get back on track.
Hire a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney
This is why it’s vital that you contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney if you have a child who has been arrested for any offense. Help your child reach his potential and get the best legal outcome possible by having him represented by a top Utah juvenile defense attorney.
Tags: child, conspiracy, crime, detention, drug, Drugs, jail, juvenile, Prison, utah
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There is some basic information that can be valuable for parents and teens to know about juvenile drug court in Utah.
Photo: epSos.de
Why Was a Juvenile Drug Court Created?
To help certain juvenile drug offenders and alcohol offenders work though their substance issues.
The juvenile drug court’s goal is to help prevent further substance abuse difficulties. No one is required to attend drug court; it is a choice for those juveniles who qualify.
There are minimum required penalties for kids who’ve been charged with drug or alcohol offenses. They include:
• 20-100 hours of community service
• $150-$500 fine
• Loss of driver’s license
What’s Involved in Participating in Juvenile Drug Court?
• At least six months’ commitment
• Entering into a contract
• At least 60 hours of community service
• Evaluations
• Intervention classes and/or substance abuse counseling
• Random substance testing
• Written assignments
• Home visits
• Required school attendance and acceptable grades
• Following home rules
• Attendance at classes with a parent
• Attendance at monthly court reviews
• No new infractions
It may seem like a lot of work to participate in a juvenile drug court, but it may turn out to be a beneficial route to take—both for a child and his family.
If you have questions about juvenile drug court or any other juvenile-related concerns, don’t wait to talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Consulting an attorney on behalf of your child may be the best decision you can make to turn your child’s life around. Make the right call today.
Tags: Alcohol, attorney, crime, drug court, Drugs, juvenile, juvenile drug court, kids, offense, teens
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Two reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration concerning teen drug use were recently released, revealing new information about when many teens first smoke pot, cigarettes and drink alcohol.
Photo: James Alby
Summertime Teen Drug Use
June and July are popular months for around 11,000 kids between 12 and 17 to take their first drink of alcohol. The typical days the rest of the year (except for December) see an average 5,000 to 8,000 first-time drinkers.
An average 5,000 teens smoke cigarettes for the first time in June and July, as well. First-time marijuana use also increases to over 4,500 experimenting during the summer months, from an average of 3,000-4,000 adolescents the rest of the year.
Utah Juvenile Defense Attorneys Can Help
These numbers show how important it is for teens to have the right kind of diversions available to them during school breaks to help reduce teen drug use. Part of the problem with teen drug use is that it might precede other criminal behaviors later in life—and sometimes even during one’s youth. Juvenile courts are busy today trying to help rehabilitate teens who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and who may have committed other crimes.
If your teen is in the juvenile justice system, whether he suffers from substance abuse or not, it’s important that he receive vital legal service from an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney. A top legal professional can give you and your child the best advice and defense possible, helping you both inside and outside the courtroom. Call a Utah juvenile defense attorney today to discuss your child’s legal dilemma.
Tags: Alcohol, crime, Drugs, kids, marijuana, School, teen, teenager, teens, utah
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When juveniles in Utah have to go through drug testing with the juvenile court system, there are some recommendations that the courts suggest each child follows:
Photo: Kevin Lau
1. Always cooperate with the probation officer. Now is not the time to try and change the rules by behaving angrily or with hostility.
2. Answer questions honestly. Your probation officer will generally be able to tell if you’ve lied, so be up-front with him or her when you first walk in the room.
3. When a court has ordered that you go through random drug testing, you are required to submit to such testing as required by your probation officer. You normally have two hours’ time within which you must provide your urine sample or you will be considered in violation of a court order.
4. If your urine tests positive for drugs, you may be subject to further penalties from the Court. All test results will be given to the Court.
5. Remember to tell your probation officer about any prescribed medications you are taking. It is required, and it may have an effect on your urine sample. Be prepared to have proof from your doctor that he or she prescribed the medication.
6. You retain the right to challenge any positive drug test. This will be done at your own expense.
7. Your drug test results will not be kept a secret from your parents. You, your parents or guardian(s) and the Court will all receive a copy of the final results.
The best time to consult an attorney is at the beginning of your child’s case. Don’t wait until your son or daughter has been convicted and is forced to undergo drug testing.
You might be surprised at how helpful an effective, experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney can be in your child’s situation. Contact an attorney today if you have questions about a juvenile case your child is involved in.
Tags: drug testing, Drugs, juveniles, urine sample, utah
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photo: Scorch 07
An increasing number of school districts in the country are implementing drug-testing programs for students involved in extracurricular activities. The United States Supreme Court has upheld the legality of randomly drug testing high school student involved in school activities (Vernonia School District v. Acton, 515 646 (1995)). Therefore, both the state of Utah and individual school districts have the ability to decide whether they will use drug testing. Most often the high school drug tests are for performance enhancing drugs such as steroids and other amphetamines. Also commonly looked for are diuretics, which can be used to hide the presence of other drugs in the urine.
Recently the Ogden School District has considered randomly testing students who participate in extracurricular activities for drug and alcohol use. The district wants to follow similar policies used by the Weber, Box Elder and Rich school districts. Although such policies do not apply to students not associated with school activities, there are guidelines which allow the other students to be tested upon reasonable suspicion. For more information on drug testing in schools please refer to the National Institute of Health.
Laws constantly evolve and change so if you or your child is found in possession of, or using drugs in high school in Utah you should contact a qualified attorney before speaking with the police. This is particularly important if you feel the test violated any of your or your child’s rights. A lawyer will be able to advise you on the legality of the issue, help fight a false positive, or appeal a disciplinary action. If your child is tested they should not admit to any drug use and possibly demand a retest. Drug tests are often unreliable and can show a false positive.
Tags: Drugs, high school athletes, high school drugs
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