Posts Tagged ‘kids’
A couple of Utah teens were sent to the hospital following a bout of reckless driving in the Taylorsville High School parking lot.
Photo: Jason Bain
Truck Rolls Over at School
The teens were in a pickup truck that rolled in the parking lot following what police believe was a race with another vehicle behind the school’s football stadium. Some kids in the back of the truck bailed before the vehicle rolled, but the driver and one passenger were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
We could talk to kids about reckless driving until we’re blue in the face and some teens would still choose a good old drag race to playing it safe. However, you can’t dispute the fact that injuries are more likely to occur when teens aren’t driving carefully; for that matter, injuries can occur when any person—regardless of their age—drives recklessly.
Reckless Driving Charge Adds Insult to Injury
It’s reported that the driver will be cited for reckless driving, which is a class B misdemeanor. We don’t know what that will mean in terms of juvenile court, but hopefully this particular teen and his compatriots will have learned a valuable lesson from this experience.
Reckless driving can be charged if a person drives:
• With willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property or
• While committing three or moving traffic violations within a distance of three miles or less
As you probably know, juvenile court usually handles kids’ offenses a little differently than district court treats adults. Kids tend to deal with rehabilitation efforts better than a lot of adults, so it’s good to give them a chance to make amends.
Ask a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney for Legal Advice
There are times, however, when a child needs the additional advice of a lawyer. In those circumstances, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney.
If your child needed medical attention you’d take them to a doctor, and it’s no different when he needs legal help. Give your child the best assistance you can by contacting a top Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: attorney, crime, kids, law, minor, offense, reckless driving, School, teens, utah, youth
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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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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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There were two separate incidents this past week concerning Utah school kids and weapons on school properties.
Photo: Mauro Cateb
Teens at Cyprus High
In one situation, four Cyprus High School students were arrested for possessing dangerous weapons on school property. The four teens were discovered allegedly skipping class and in possession of pocketknives and/or brass knuckles. Police noted that the boys had not hurt or threatened anyone, but do have gang connections. They were arrested and will likely be suspended and may be sent to other schools.
Legal Definition of Dangerous Weapons on School Property
According to the state code, no one—including Utah school kids—is allowed to be in possession of any dangerous weapon, firearm or sawed-off shotgun on or around school properties. Possessing a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B misdemeanor. If you decide to take a firearm or sawed-off shotgun onto school property, you’ll probably be charged with a class A misdemeanor.
There is an exception to the above law. Someone, such as a school resource officer, who is authorized by the school administrator or who has a legal right to carry such a weapon can be excluded.
Youth Carries Gun to School
In another incident, an 11-year-old boy showed up at school with a gun and allegedly threatened other students. He was also arrested and will likely be sent through the juvenile court system.
Violence in Utah is nothing new, but it can be frustrating to see Utah school kids armed with weapons. One of the best ways to help a child who’s been put into the juvenile justice system is to make sure that he is represented by a top Utah juvenile defense attorney.
Helping Utah School Kids
Contact an attorney who has a reputation for helping and defending his juvenile clients. The right Utah juvenile defense attorney may make the positive difference in your child’s case that puts him on the right track.
Tags: attorney, children, crime, gun, juveniles, kids, offense, School, teens, utah, weapon
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The Case
The Utah Court of Appeals ruled today that charges for supplying alcohol to minors should not have been dismissed against Xavier Morrison. The trial court dismissed the charges initially, reasoning that charging an 18-year-old with supplying alcohol to other 18-year-olds (who were actually slightly older than Mr. Morrison) would create an “absurd result.” The trial court interpreted the law against supplying alcohol to minors as meant to protect minors, not to be a basis for prosecuting them.
The court of appeals agreed that the law prohibiting supplying alcohol to minors was meant to protect minors but unlike other cases applying the “absurd result” doctrine, the crime here involves a clear perpetrator and victim so prosecuting the perpetrator is okay. Mr. Morrison obtained the alcohol on his own by doing a “Hey Mister,” where a minor asks an adult to purchase the alcohol for them. The court of appeals limited its decision to where the minor being charged was clearly the supplier–leaving open whether a minor could still be charged for supplying if the other minors participated in getting the alcohol.
For the full opinion click here: State v. Morrison
Underage Drinking and Supplying Alcohol
This case creates a good opportunity for parents to remind their kids, and to remind young adults in general, that underage drinking can have serious legal consequences. If a minor is caught supplying alcohol to their friends, not only will they be cited for underage drinking, they could also be charged with supplying the alcohol, a class A misdemeanor if they know their friends are underage.
If your minor is caught drinking underage, don’t hesitate to call an experienced juvenile and criminal attorney to help!
Tags: Alcohol, appeal, attorney, court, crime, Hey Mister, juvenile, kids, law, teen, teenager, utah, youth
Posted in Alcohol, Drugs, Juvenile Defense Misc, Utah Law | No Comments »
Attribution: compujeramey
Columbia University does an annual survey of American kids from ages 12 to 17 to track the prevalence of drugs in high schools. This year, the participants responded that 17% of their classmates are using drugs, drinking, and/or smoking during the school day. There were other interesting findings. The study showed that kids are more likely to have tried drugs, alcohol, or tobacco if they view pictures of other kids using alcohol and/or drugs on social networking sites like Facebook. Also, younger teens were found to have easier access to (within an hour to get) prescription medication than marijuana. This marks the sixth straight year that 60% or more of the surveyed students reporting that their “high schools are drug infected, meaning that drugs are used, kept or sold at the schools.” Columbia High School Study.
As the drug presence in schools increases, it’s important for parents, teachers, and community leaders to take preventative measures with the youth they supervise to prevent these behaviors. For those families already dealing with these issues in the juvenile justice system, it can be difficult to determine how to act in a child’s best interest. A Utah juvenile defense attorney can help these families navigate the variety of rehabilitative options available, such as juvenile drug court programs or other substance abuse treatment options, so the youth has the optimal environment and opportunity for success. If you and your child are dealing with the juvenile justice system, for drugs or otherwise, contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney to help both you find the best solution for your family
Tags: Alcohol, facebook, high school drugs, juvenile, Juvenile Court, kids, marijuana, School, teenager, teens, Tobacco, utah, youth
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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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In spite of the efforts of law enforcement, Utah gangs seem to be thriving. However, there are laws against involving minors in gangs, and the penalties can be severe.
Photo: Janek Mann
Penalties Involving Utah Gangs
It’s illegal to solicit, recruit, entice or intimidate a minor (someone under the age of 18) to join a criminal street gang—even if the youth doesn’t join the gang. Attempting any of these methods will earn a person a class B misdemeanor.
It is also a class B misdemeanor to try and stop a juvenile from leaving a gang. Unfortunately, that’s probably easier said than done, because once a kid joins a gang the members will likely pull out all stops to try and keep him involved with gang activities.
If a gang member tries to intimidate a minor to commit or attempt to commit a criminal misdemeanor, that person could be charged with a class A misdemeanor. It’s also illegal for a gang member to try to get a minor to recruit another minor more than once within a 180-day period. Committing this crime can earn a person up to one year in jail.
Most Kids Just Want to Belong Somewhere
Even though the legal penalties should be enough to keep your kids from joining Utah gangs, many youth looking for a place where they feel like they belong might send them right into gang members’ arms.
If your child has become embroiled in a gang, ask for help. Don’t wait around hoping your kid will “see the light” and leave a gang. Also, any legal troubles your child is in warrant an immediate phone call to a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Do what you can to help your kids get help while they’re young, before they get involved in serious trouble.
Tags: criminal, gangs, kids, minor, utah, youth
Posted in Juvenile Defense Misc | 1 Comment »
Kids join gangs every day in the United States, and Utah isn’t immune. There are many reasons kids join gangs, and just as many reasons to keep kids out of gangs.
Photo: boliston
Some Reasons Kids Join Gangs:
• Acceptance—Who doesn’t want to be accepted? Most people want to feel that there are others who like them just for who they are. Gangs will accept your kids for any reason.
• Peer pressure—Every kid feels peer pressure, whether it’s to have the right clothes or be like their friends. The pressure a gang puts on a person can be relentless. A gang has no reason to give up on pressuring your child to join them.
• Curiosity—Have you ever done anything purely out of curiosity? There are a lot of people—kids included—who try something just to see what it’s like. It can be smoking pot or joining a gang, if the individual isn’t given a better option.
• Feeling of Importance—People like to feel important. Some people might join a gang to increase their feelings of being able to be in charge or boss people around. Unfortunately, that can result in criminal activity, too.
Reasons to Keep Kids Out of Gangs:
• Education—Your child’s opportunities to increase his education will dramatically increase if he’s not affiliated with a gang. There aren’t too many gangs that place much importance on a college education.
• Freedom—Gangs are usually involved in some type of criminal activity. Let your kids know that their personal freedom is at stake when they are involved with a gang.
• Finances—There are times when you don’t want to share your wealth. Kids should be able to have a job that allows them to keep their paycheck. Stealing and splitting the ill-gotten gain isn’t the way to financial success.
Keep in touch with your kids. Know their friends and what they do in their spare time. You can have a lot more influence in your children’s lives if you start when they’re young. Just because some kids join gangs doesn’t mean your kids have to.
If you have a child who needs legal help, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call a Utah juvenile defense attorney who will understand the needs of children and who can help you navigate the juvenile justice system in Utah.
Tags: gangs, kids, utah
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