Contribution to delinquency

[gaian1]

California: My son received a call from a girl he knows (not his girlfriend) and asked for a ride home at 1am. He is 19, she is 17. He foolishly agreed and went to pick her up, she said she didn't want to go home immediately and wanted to wait until her brother got home. So they sat in the car, in the front seats, he still had his seat belt on , listening to music. Then the Police officer arrived. She lied to the cop and tried to pass her friend off as her Mom, my son was charged with Contribution to the delinquency of a minor.

I'm sure all parent says this but he is a good kid and he genuinely likes to help people out but I have a feeling that this could turn ugly pretty quickly and would appreciate any advice I can get.

I realize that ignorance is no excuse but I'm a Brit (as was his Mom - she is now a US citizen) but in the UK sex is legal at 16 and there aren't any curfews, this came as a shock that the laws are so different in this area.

Regards
Steve

[IsabellaSoriano]

this unfortunately is how you found out. we are a bunch of prudes on this side of the pond.

and in my area (so cal) they are really cracking down on the curfew issue.

your son needs to stay away from children for the time being. it's just safer for him that way. especially since the girl might have made it worse by lying to the police officer.

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by gaian1

California: My son received a call from a girl he knows (not his girlfriend) and asked for a ride home at 1am.

A ride home from where? A party? Had she been drinking? If she had been drinking, that explains a lot.

He is 19, she is 17. He foolishly agreed and went to pick her up, she said she didn't want to go home immediately and wanted to wait until her brother got home. So they sat in the car, in the front seats, he still had his seat belt on , listening to music. Then the Police officer arrived. She lied to the cop and tried to pass her friend off as her Mom, my son was charged with Contribution to the delinquency of a minor.

She tried to pass WHAT friend off as her mother? Did your son pick up two girls? Was there a passing friend as well?

Where were they parked? Had the girl been reported as missing or a runaway by mom?

What time were they contacted by the police?

Again, had the girl been drinking?

I'm sure all parent says this but he is a good kid and he genuinely likes to help people out but I have a feeling that this could turn ugly pretty quickly and would appreciate any advice I can get.

Yes, it can get ugly. It is a misdemeanor criminal offense to contribute to the delinquency of a minor. He needs to consult with an attorney. Chances are, if convicted, this will result in a fine and probation only. But, you never know.

- Carl

[gaian1]

The girl was with her friend and her friend's boyfriend, the girl felt awkward (being the third wheel) but had no way to get home. So she called my son. She had not been drinking. She was supposed to be staying over with her friend but didn't know her friend's boyfriend was going to be there.

Her mother hadn't reported her missing (because she wasn't). The girl was going to sneak back into her Mom's house when the girl's brother got home, which is why my son and her were just sat in the car listening to music. (waiting for the brother) When the officer stopped and questioned (my son and) her, she thought she could get away (!) with getting her friend to pretend to be her Mom over the phone.

Her real Mom was contacted at 1:30am.

Regards
Steve

[CdwJava]

So, it seems the 272 charge is solely based upon the curfew violation. That is going to be a key that works against him. He was, in fact, aiding her being out after curfew and she was not where her parent knew she would be. The assumptions can get a lot wilder from there.

He needs to speak to his attorney.

- Carl

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by gaian1

The girl was with her friend and her friend's boyfriend, the girl felt awkward (being the third wheel) but had no way to get home. So she called my son. She had not been drinking. She was supposed to be staying over with her friend but didn't know her friend's boyfriend was going to be there.

Her mother hadn't reported her missing (because she wasn't). The girl was going to sneak back into her Mom's house when the girl's brother got home, which is why my son and her were just sat in the car listening to music. (waiting for the brother) When the officer stopped and questioned (my son and) her, she thought she could get away (!) with getting her friend to pretend to be her Mom over the phone.

Her real Mom was contacted at 1:30am.

Regards
Steve

The lies weren't only told to the police and aren't only being told by the girl.

Think about it...why would the girl need to sneak back in to her own house after doing the responsible thing and getting herself out of a situation that she was uncomfortable in? And, to take it a step further, why wouldn't the girl just have called her mom? Something just doesn't add up...stories that are made up by 17 year olds and 19 year olds usually don't add up.