Posts Tagged ‘School’

Utah Teens Facing Kidnapping Charges

May
03
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Defense Misc
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Three southern Utah teens may be facing kidnapping charges after allegedly participating in an incident involving a teenage girl last Sunday.

Photo: DiamondBack Truck Covers

The Victim’s Kidnapping Story

The victim’s story is that at least three shirtless males wearing masks grabbed her from behind and put her in the back of a truck, closing the truck bed’s lid over her and locking her inside. They supposedly drove for a little while and stopped; at some point they opened the cover and she was able to get away.

The girl was able to provide a description of the vehicle, and three juveniles were arrested by the local police. After their arrests, a juvenile court judge ordered that the boys be released. The boys have since been removed from high school.

What Could Happen to the Boys?

If the young men are charged with kidnapping and found guilty, their punishments would be up to a juvenile court judge. They could potentially be in detention until they turn 21.

Kidnapping or Prank?

Is this a prank being blown out of proportion? The girl was likely scared, and if the boys did commit this act, it was a bad choice. However, should they be locked up for the next four years because of a prank? The answers to these questions depend greatly upon a person’s point-of-view.

If you’ve ever been involved in a prank, you know how easily something meant to be funny can go wrong. Most pranks are just that—a joke, and some jokes are pretty stupid. However, stupidity isn’t necessarily a crime.

Hiring a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

If your kid ever does something that police think is criminal, don’t wait to hire an attorney to represent him. Somebody may be looking for a scapegoat, and that could be your child. Let a Utah juvenile defense attorney provide your son or daughter with a vigorous defense, freeing you to support your child. It could be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

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Chemical Bomb Explodes at a Utah High School

Apr
12
Simms, on the topic of  School
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Instructions for just about everything on the internet abound, including how-to’s for creating your own chemical bomb. However, just because you can find out how to make a chemical bomb easily doesn’t mean you should follow through with the experiment, as two Bountiful High School students recently discovered.

Photo: maticulous

Chemical Bomb Explosion Leads to Arrests

The high school was placed on lockdown status yesterday after a homemade chemical bomb exploded in one of the school’s foyers. No one was hurt, but the two students were arrested after police investigated the incident. The two apparently left some other chemical bombs in other locales as well, including one that exploded in a church parking lot. Police indicated that the two students probably weren’t planning to hurt anyone, but law enforcement does take the behavior seriously.

One of the two involved in exploding the chemical bombs is 18 years old and was taken to the local county jail, since he is legally an adult. The other student is just 16, so she went straight to detention.

Chemical Bomb Presents Danger to Anyone in the Vicinity

Using an incendiary device is a second-degree felony in Utah. Each chemical bomb in this case was full of hydrochloric acid, which presents a danger to anyone caught in the explosive fall-out.

Since most teenage pranks are harmless, these kids may not have fully realized the danger that their chemical bombs presented to others or even themselves. Hopefully their parents will understand the importance of hiring an attorney to represent each youth in order to make sure the kids are treated fairly. We don’t condone violence, but we do believe every person—juveniles and adults alike—deserve equal representation when it comes to criminal matters.

If you need to look for a Utah juvenile defense attorney for your child you should consider the attorney’s previous experience and hire someone who has a reputation for serving his or her clients effectively. Criminal charges of any nature are best handled by an attorney who knows how to get the job done right.

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Juvenile Allegedly Plots Mass Destruction at Utah School

Feb
02
Simms, on the topic of  School
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Prosecutors are seeking to certify 16-year-old Joshua Hoggan as an adult after receiving information that the juvenile was going to use a weapon of mass destruction at Roy High School in Utah. Hoggan has been charged with use of a weapon of mass destruction, which is a first-degree felony, in 2nd District Juvenile Court, but prosecutors have filed the motion to have Hoggan’s case transferred to adult district court.

Photo: Paul Fisher

Should Hoggan be Tried as an Adult?

Prosecutors reportedly believe that Hoggan is adult enough to comprehend the gravity of his situation and the choices he made to get to this point. Also, his co-conspirator in the alleged bomb plot is already an 18-year-old adult who has been charged with the same crime in adult court.

Safety Issues at Roy High School Noted by Hoggan

Interestingly, Hoggan wrote an article for the Roy High School newspaper in 2010 that detailed problems around the school that could put everyone’s safety at issue if the school was attacked. Hoggan also interviewed the Columbine High School principal this past December, purportedly for a follow-up article for Roy High’s newspaper.

What Constitutes Weapon of Mass Destruction Involvement

In Utah, a person can be charged with a first-degree felony for any of the following situations relating to a weapon of mass destruction:

• Manufacturing
• Possession
• Displays
• Delivers
• Sells
• Uses
• Attempts to use
• Solicits the use of
• Conspires to use

We would not attempt to sit in judgment of Joshua Hoggan; that is for a judge or jury. We strongly believe that any person accused of a crime is innocent unless they are found guilty. Hopefully Hoggan will be treated fairly and respectfully, as is appropriate for any individual facing criminal charges.

Juvenile Courts Are About Rehabilitation

There are many reasons why juvenile court is separate from adult court, and if you have a child whom prosecutors are attempting to certify as an adult, it is vital that you get the advice of an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney. Just because a prosecutor believes a 16-year-old is mature enough to be tried as an adult doesn’t mean that is what should happen.

Make sure your child, regardless of his or her circumstances, is represented by a juvenile defense attorney who knows the ins and outs of helping juveniles through any legal procedures.

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School Strip Searches ruled illegal by Supreme Court

May
13
jessica, on the topic of  School
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photo: dave_mcmt

photo: dave_mcmt

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an Arizona school violated Fourth Amendment rights when they strip searched a teenage girl to look for prescription-strength ibuprofen.  The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches.  In this case, school officials ordered the student to take off her clothes and show them the inside of her underwear.

Although this didn’t happen in Utah, the Supreme Court’s ruling applies to all states.  Therefore, if your child is asked to remove his or her clothing by a school official, your child should refuse and immediately call you.  While school officials can strip search students if it is truly warranted, it is more than likely that a situation involving your child will not reach that level.  It is more likely that a school official is misusing their power.

If this situation occurs, or your child consents to a strip search at school without your permission, you should contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

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