RRusso1957
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Here is my situation. I have 2 sons, Rob, who is 26, and Chris, who is 14. Last Friday, Chris had 2 of his friends sleeping over. Justin, 15, and Nick, 13. Justin and Nick are brothers and they live a block away. Rob had a Mustang, and it was parked in the driveway. At about 2 AM, Justin and Nick had the great idea to take the Mustang for a joyride. They talked Chris into it. Chris snagged the extra key from the drawer in the kitchen and they snuck out while my wife and I and Rob were asleep. They took the car and Chris drove and then pulled over and let Justin drive. After a few minutes, Chris had to relieve himself and Justin stopped and Chris got out. A Highway Patrol officer pulled up while Chris was urinating. Justin and Nick took off while Chris was still standing there. They led the officer on a chase for a mile and then lost control of the car and hit a tree. The car was totalled. Rob had to rent a car to go to work. Justin has a broken arm and Nick has a broken leg. Now to top it off, Nick and Justin's father is threatening to sue Rob and I for negligence. Does he have a case? I believe we exercised reasonable care. It's not like we left the keys in the car or let them take it. We didn't know they couldn't be trusted, and they could do something so stupid and reckless. Chris wasn't even in the car when they crashed. Also, could Chris be facing any criminal charges? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks
Bob Russo
Here is my situation. I have 2 sons, Rob, who is 26, and Chris, who is 14. Last Friday, Chris had 2 of his friends sleeping over. Justin, 15, and Nick, 13. Justin and Nick are brothers and they live a block away. Rob had a Mustang, and it was parked in the driveway. At about 2 AM, Justin and Nick had the great idea to take the Mustang for a joyride. They talked Chris into it. Chris snagged the extra key from the drawer in the kitchen and they snuck out while my wife and I and Rob were asleep. They took the car and Chris drove and then pulled over and let Justin drive. After a few minutes, Chris had to relieve himself and Justin stopped and Chris got out. A Highway Patrol officer pulled up while Chris was urinating. Justin and Nick took off while Chris was still standing there. They led the officer on a chase for a mile and then lost control of the car and hit a tree. The car was totalled. Rob had to rent a car to go to work. Justin has a broken arm and Nick has a broken leg. Now to top it off, Nick and Justin's father is threatening to sue Rob and I for negligence. Does he have a case? I believe we exercised reasonable care. It's not like we left the keys in the car or let them take it. We didn't know they couldn't be trusted, and they could do something so stupid and reckless. Chris wasn't even in the car when they crashed. Also, could Chris be facing any criminal charges? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks
Bob Russo