Just asking for opinions

[Nashyra]

Yesterday I met with a juvenile probation officer as my son had been issued a citation for under age drinking. He was at a party and had a beer at about 8:30 PM because he was the driver, he'll be 18 on the 31st. At 11:45 the police arrived and he left the party walking, most of the kids ran and he was obvisiously trying to leave without being noticed, well outside they shined a light on him and they did not know he was at the party, instead of running which he could have he very respectfully talked to the cops, they asked if he bad been drinking and he told the truth, they breathylized him and he blew a 0.011, .08 is intoxicated, one police suggested that they not bother because it was so low, the other was a jerk and said it registered and that was enough. We live in a small town and my son was JR and Sr class pres. of his class of 53, very popular but very respected and well known in the community for his participation in CAP and student gov't and sports. They handcuffed him and put him in the squad car and made me pick him up at the sherriff station, when the officer let him out of the car he told me that Matt had been very cooperative and had been truthful, why the cuffs I can not figure out except that his dad and I have no polictical connections in our small town. The superintendents son was so blasted (he's 16) that he fell and broke his front teeth but they let him be picked up by his parents at the party. Well they threw the book at Matt yesterday and restrictied his license to drive for 90 days and he can only drive in our county, he's leaving for college in 3 weeks but is only going to the neighboring county, they did not waive the time since the incident which would be 30 days even though it was me that had to postpone the hearing so that he would be able to drive at the end of Sept. He asked Matt if learned anything by the experience after Matt signed all the paperwork and Matt said sure, "just don't tell the truth", and then went on to tell him that all the BS that they had been telling the kids ie: we don't pretend to think you won't drink but our main concern is for you to be safe and responsible. That is what Matt had been trying to do, he was going to drive home so he had a beer early and stopped, not that I want him to drink however I'm glad to know that he was at least thinking reponsibly. The officer told Matt that after he turned 18 it would go on his permanent record if he got in trouble again, I piped in with "your last name is not Bush so you get no second chances and you have to be an adult at 18 instead of waiting until your 40" I almost fainted when the asshole agreed with me and said that Bush was the worst example any President has ever set for young people and I promptly responded with "that's because he really is not an elected pres". He actually said that he was praying that we have a "regime change" in 2004. Matt left sooner than I did and the guy actually had very nice things to say about him and how well they had communicated over the years that Matt was in student leadership and that even though he agreed with Matt about the mixed message he could not tell Matt as that would be improper in his position. Thanks for the venue to vent

[Bossy Monkey]

1. I read it all, but nobody else will unless you break this up

into paragraphs. The Enter key is your friend.

You don't ever actually ask for opinions. All I can say is that your son sounds like a fine fellow. This should provide incentive for him to keep his nose clean in college, so it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. You should be able to go back and get his record expunged later. It's a pity you couldn't get him into PTI. He'd be a much better candidate than the athletes who usually get it.

[Punkingal]

2. The most important thing is......

your son sounds like a great kid. Don't let this bad experience change him.

[molly]

3. Juvenile records are sealed

most of these cases are negotiable. Even if he gets in trouble after he is 18, his juvenile record is still sealed.

[roughsatori]

4. Look on the bright side

He has a good reason to stay out of trouble now. I am curious, was he planning on driving with that blood alcohol level? I know it was low-but it was over the limit. I say this as a recovering alcoholic who wishes he had stopped drinking when he was picked up by the cops for underage drinking in a small town.

The other good thing, is the Police Officer not liking Shrub-the repukes would have you thinking that all Police Officers love AWOL boy.

[Nashyra]

5. No it was .0.0010

.08 is legally drunk, his was .0010, I am to a recovering alcholic and my point was that he had one beer and quit for the evening. As a flight crew member any ones who tests below .002 is considered to be alchol free. Thanks for your comments it makes me feel better, and in the furture I will use paragraphs. Thanks

[trof]

6. Who "threw the book"?

Was this a judge, magistrate, what?
What state are you in?
If you are able to call and schedule an appointment to see the person, you may be able to get him to vacate or modify his ruling.
Who did Matt vent to? The judge, or within his hearing? Not good.

If the official will talk to you (and he should) be businesslike and pleasant. Take documentation of Matt's accomplishments and grades. Explain the hardship the entire family will be under with Matt's leaving for college, unable to drive, etc. Sometimes it works.
Good luck.

[Nashyra]

7. It was the juvenile probation officer

and he told Matt that if he went in front of the judge that he would probably get the maximum fine and not only have his license restricted, but suspended for 90 days for not "using the juvenile probation hearing available to him" We're in Nevada and he replied to the probation officer very calmly AFTER we signed the paperwork which Matt waived his right to fight the charge. Damned if you do or don't.

He knows of Matt's accomplishments and grades, he hired him last year for Peer Court which is where Matt sat in on student discipline hearings and gave student input.

Matt knows he was wrong to even have one beer because he was underage, but this guy blew a big chance to let the kids know that responsiblity for your actions and being smart about drinking less could have less severe consequences, by no means do I think he should have been let go scott free, but his $100.00 fine and community service should have been sufficient or a reduced time on the restriction of his license since he did not even have his car, as it was the kid that fell down and broke his teeth was younger, got less of a fine and had his license restricted for 2 days less. Go figure.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.