Z
ZenGorilla
Guest
What is the name of your state? Washington, King County, City of Burien
I have a few questions regarding a legal situation.
Here's the deal. Two friends (both 18) and I (17, 18 in september) went out last night and climbed on top of a local high school to stargaze. About a half hour later we were climbing down and three police cars showed up. We calmly climbed down and turned ourselves in. We were handcuffed, seperated, and put in the back of the police cars, one friend with me and another in a different car by himself. They asked all of us what our intentions were, and we all responded we just wanted to look around (which we did). After a half an hour of questioning, they uncuffed us and said they were going to charge all of us with trespassing, a misdemeanor. They said to watch our mailboxes because we would be mailed a citation.
My first question is, how long will it take them to mail the citation? I am leaving out of state for the rest of the summer in a week or so...is there any way I can pick up my citation at the office now (or within a week)?
For my second question, what are the rough chances of a judge throwing the case out? We are all high school graduates with good GPA's, all have been accepted to the University of Washington next year, and all have completely clean criminal and driving records. Is there an option for deferral?
Thirdly, if the case is not thrown out, what kind of fines can I expect? Dare I ask if I'll recieve jail time? How much difference will a trespassing offense make to an employer, or would I even have to report it seeing as how it's not a felony?
Lastly, if the case is not thrown out (or deferred), how long do I have to wait to expunge the arrest from my record?
I realize these questions are specific because I am under 18. If you have answers for them for my two friends who are over 18, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you very much for reading. Who knew stargazing would get us in so much trouble?
EDIT: One question I thought of since posting: Am I allowed to bring character witnesses to court? Would it make any difference? Thanks.
I have a few questions regarding a legal situation.
Here's the deal. Two friends (both 18) and I (17, 18 in september) went out last night and climbed on top of a local high school to stargaze. About a half hour later we were climbing down and three police cars showed up. We calmly climbed down and turned ourselves in. We were handcuffed, seperated, and put in the back of the police cars, one friend with me and another in a different car by himself. They asked all of us what our intentions were, and we all responded we just wanted to look around (which we did). After a half an hour of questioning, they uncuffed us and said they were going to charge all of us with trespassing, a misdemeanor. They said to watch our mailboxes because we would be mailed a citation.
My first question is, how long will it take them to mail the citation? I am leaving out of state for the rest of the summer in a week or so...is there any way I can pick up my citation at the office now (or within a week)?
For my second question, what are the rough chances of a judge throwing the case out? We are all high school graduates with good GPA's, all have been accepted to the University of Washington next year, and all have completely clean criminal and driving records. Is there an option for deferral?
Thirdly, if the case is not thrown out, what kind of fines can I expect? Dare I ask if I'll recieve jail time? How much difference will a trespassing offense make to an employer, or would I even have to report it seeing as how it's not a felony?
Lastly, if the case is not thrown out (or deferred), how long do I have to wait to expunge the arrest from my record?
I realize these questions are specific because I am under 18. If you have answers for them for my two friends who are over 18, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you very much for reading. Who knew stargazing would get us in so much trouble?
EDIT: One question I thought of since posting: Am I allowed to bring character witnesses to court? Would it make any difference? Thanks.
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