Posts Tagged ‘School’
A 14-year-old has been arrested after one of his teachers noticed what he considered strange behavior by the Utah teen.
Photo: Brendan DeBrincat
The young man, who claims he’s been bullied, had a “hit list” with several names on it in his possession at school. He allegedly planned to stab the people on his list, but police noted that he didn’t have a knife on him when he was arrested.
The Utah teen is being investigated for six counts of harassment and six counts of making threats against life or property—misdemeanors. After being booked into juvenile detention, he was released into the custody of his parents.
Harassment can be charged in Utah if a person, intending to frighten or harass someone else, communicates a written or recorded threat to commit any violent felony. Harassment is a class B misdemeanor.
A person is only justified in threatening force against another person if he reasonably believes that threat is necessary to defend himself or someone else against another’s use of imminent force. In other words, if Bill threatens to assault Joe and his friend Mike with a baseball bat, Joe is entitled to threaten to punch Bill if he attempts to use the bat.
Interestingly, the city police chief stated that this Utah teen has been bullied but feels he’s been a bully as well. It looks like there needs to be some investigation into what’s going on with some of the students at that school.
Talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney if your child has been arrested or is being investigated for any offense. It’s important that the entire story be told and not just from the point of view of the alleged victims.
Tags: bully, crime, harassment, juvenile, misdemeanor, offense, School, teen, utah
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Youth who violate Utah law will at some point be involved in a Utah juvenile court review hearing and, as a parent, you will want to know what type of information the court requires at that hearing.
Photo: Lee Edwin Coursey
How Does the Court Find Out About Alleged Offenses?
A youth may be referred to Utah Juvenile Court by the police, a parent or a school. Once the child goes into court, his case will be assigned to an intake officer who meets with the child and his parents to determine what action is necessary.
Once a child has been adjudicated, court review hearings will likely be scheduled. These hearings can take place as often as deemed necessary by the judge, but are usually held every 6-9 months.
Education Reports are Important
You can expect the court to be interested in the juvenile’s educational needs, status and progress. Education information allows the judge to make appropriate court orders concerning each individual child, since each child who goes through a Utah Juvenile Court will have specific educational needs and goals.
Upon request, the court will likely want to have the following information available:
• current school placement and duration of the current placement
• educational history
• current grades and attendance, including GPA and credits earned
• the juvenile’s behavior in school
• whether the child is on grade level and his progress toward graduation
• participation in Youth in Custody services
• if he qualifies for and is participating in special education services or programs
• current IEP and IEP progress reports
• extracurricular activities
• child’s successes in school
• academic performance
Find a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney to Help Your Child
It’s important that any child who is involved with the Utah Juvenile Court have legal representation to insure that he or she is treated fairly. Parents shouldn’t have the extra burden of trying to figure out what the law is and how to best help their child from a legal standpoint. A Utah juvenile defense attorney is the right person to take on those concerns and make certain that the child receives the appropriate help from the court.
Don’t wait until your child is in the middle of legal problems and you are at your wit’s end. Contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: court, education, intake officer, juvenile, Juvenile Court, offense, review, School, utah
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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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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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Kids attending a Utah school can be suspended or expelled for a variety of reasons, although they may not necessarily be charged with a crime at the same time—that would depend on law enforcement and local prosecutors.
Photo: Alex Bellink
Reasons for Being Suspended from School
If your child does any one of the following, he may not be allowed to return to school:
• Frequent or flagrant willful disobedience
• Defiance of proper authority
• Disruptive behavior, which may include using foul, vulgar, profane or abusive language
• Willful destruction or defacing of school property
• Behavior or threatened behavior which poses an immediate and significant threat to the welfare, safety or morals of other students or Utah school personnel or to the operation of the school
• Possession, control or use of alcohol
• Behavior which threatens harm to the school or does harm to the school or school property, to someone associated with the school or that person’s property, no matter where the harm or threat occurs
• Possession or use of pornographic material on Utah school property
Additional Reasons for Suspension or Expulsion
A student shall be expelled or suspended for doing any of the following:
• A serious violation that affects another student or staff member, occurs in a school building, occurs in or on school property or in relation to any school activity, including
• Possession, control, use or threatened use of a real weapon, explosive, noxious or flammable material
• The actual use or threatened use of an item that looks like a weapon with the intent to intimidate someone or disrupt Utah school activities
• Drug-related sales, use, etc.
• Commission of an act using force or threatening use of force which would be a felony or class A misdemeanor if committed by an adult
Let an Attorney Help You
Kids who are expelled or suspended from a Utah school for any law enforcement-related offense will benefit from the legal services of an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney. Utah school officials undoubtedly do their best to provide for the safety and welfare of all students, but some kids need and deserve extra help when they are facing juvenile offense charges. Do the right thing for your child by contacting a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: child, crime, expulsion, juvenile, kid, offense, School, suspension, 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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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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Even though teen sexting has been a concern of many parents, educators and lawmakers for quite awhile, a new study shows how long-lasting the effects of sexting can truly be.
Photo: Shawn Rossi
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a United Kingdom-based organization, recently released their data on the long-term problems that teen sexting can present for youth who take explicit pictures of themselves.
Sexting is the term used for sharing sexually revealing pictures of yourself online. The IWF study discovered that 88% of a portion of explicit pictures and videos uploaded by juveniles made it onto websites other than the ones they were originally found on—in less than a week’s time.
In other words, a teen could sext a picture of himself to a friend or post a picture on his blog, but that same picture might easily end up on a pornographic website elsewhere. Additionally, the study showed that once a picture has been copied to another site deleting it is nearly impossible.
While it might seem fun and exciting now, teen sexting can come back to haunt you later. Think before you send any info—pictures or words—to another individual. Once out, you can’t take them back.
Parents need to talk to their kids about the problems relating to teen sexting. Kids have enough worries in this world without adding to them by getting themselves in legal, school or personal trouble.
If you are the parent of a kid being investigated for or charged with sexting, take time to contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Do your child a favor and get him the help he needs.
Tags: crime, juvenile, phone, pornography, School, sex, sexting, teen, utah
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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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With summer winding down and the start of a new school year upon many Utah families, we thought it would be appropriate to review what is prohibited as far as Utah school harassment policies are concerned.
Photo: Justin See
Utah Law on Harassment and Bullying
The law states that no student or school employee may engage in harassing or bullying another school employee or student in the following circumstances:
• On school property
• At a school related or sponsored event
• On a school bus
• At a school bus stop or
• While the individual is traveling to or from any of the above-mentioned locations or events
Hazing and Cyber-bullying are Prohibited
Hazing and cyber-bullying by a school employee or student are prohibited under all circumstances. Additionally, if someone makes an accusation of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment or hazing, he had better be telling the truth and he cannot be retaliated against by another individual. Both retaliation and lying are prohibited.
Someone who is bullied, cyber-bullied, harassed or hazed does have the option of seeking criminal or civil actions under Utah law.
Definitions
Bullying means that someone commits an act, fully aware that such act:
• Endangers the physical health of another person
• Involves physical brutality
• Involves consuming some type of substance
• Physically obstructs a person’s ability to move
• Is done with the intent to engender fear in the person
Cyber-bullying involves some type of device that allows the bully to hurt, threaten or embarrass an individual with reckless disregard.
Harassment includes repeated disparaging or demeaning communications to a person that contribute to a hostile learning or work environment.
Hazing can include the same things as bullying, except that hazing usually occurs in situations where a person is being initiated into a club or group.
If your child has been accused of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment or hazing, it’s important to immediately contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Kids deserve to have someone on their side who can speak for them and protect them from incriminating themselves. Talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.
Tags: bullying, child, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, juvenile, kid, law, School, utah
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