Misdemeanor

[mominhotwater]

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

My son has been charged with a class one and two misdemeanor. He went into the local school after hours and stacked some chairs and discharged a fire extinguisher. There were no damages other than cleanup. This was done as a prank with no maliscious entent. What is the worse that can happen to him???

[mominhotwater]

they entered the school thru an open latch. They did not hurt anything while getting in. I'm not excusing their behavior, but my thought is the judge will show some leniancy. No prior records and good student who is currently waiting to ship out to the military after graduation.

[outonbail]

Originally Posted by mominhotwater

they entered the school thru an open latch.

What is an open latch? Was this latch on the roof?

They did not hurt anything while getting in. I'm not excusing their behavior, but my thought is the judge will show some leniancy.

This sounds more like a wish than a thought. Because my thought is the judge may decide to make an example out of them so other "good" students don't find this type of behavior a fun and harmless activity. I wonder what the bad students do for fun?

No prior records and good student who is currently waiting to ship out to the military after graduation.

How many other "good students" were involved in this "prank"? No prior record is always on his side although working in concert with those that do have prior records can wash that good away pretty fast.

Would you happen to know if the school has been experiencing a rash of pranks recently?
This could have some bearing on how the case plays out.

He will need a lawyer, get him one. Before you think you can not afford to hire one, you need to realize that your son can not afford to proceed without one. If he's an adult, he needs to do everything possible, to avoid starting his life burdened with a criminal record relating to some sort of burglary charges. Again you, or he can not afford to try getting through this situation, without an experienced private criminal defense lawyer in his corner.

Hiring a lawyer is a much better way to approach this situation than thinking that the judge will be lenient, because if and when you discover the judge is not lenient, but a book thrower, it is too late to do anything about it.

He should not discuss the case with anyone or make any statements to the police or school officials concerning this case. He should not continue to associate with anyone else who was involved in this prank. (or for the sake of accuracy, this act of burglary, vandalism and destruction of public property) He should have a job after school so he doesn't have time to participate in any more pranks. This will also enable him to pay you back for any money you have to put out in order to clean up his legal troubles.
Paying for the situation his actions created will be a good lesson in taking responsibility as well as learning that there is a price for irresponsible behavior.

Good luck

[mominhotwater]

NO, the school has not been experiencing any pranks. My son is 17. The other two boys involved are the same age. All of them are honor students, with no prior anythings. There was no damage or destruction to any school property. The boys honestly had no idea that it was this serious. The charge was a class 1 misdemeanor for breaking or entering, and class 2 for defacing public property. They said because they stacked chairs, this was why the defacing of property. Zero damages. As far as not talking to anyone, when the parents got to the school, the boys had already confessed and written out statements. The school has a resource officer. I understand your point, but I just cannot believe that a judge would "try and make an example" of these boys, thereby ruining their futures. What good would that serve??? This is a high school riddled with problems. Drop out rate is over 50%. Again, I'm not excusing thier behavior, but these 3 boys may be only a few of the ones that can make a difference in this world. The resource officer said that it was obvious the boys were only trying to do a prank, due to the fact that no damage was done. However, the schools have this zero tolerance thing.