I am a 19 year old college sophomore in Illinois, and I messed up big time. Last night I was arrested for “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” A basic rundown of the situation:
A prospective student (high schooler) came to visit campus. She was friends with my girlfriend, so I ended up hanging out with them. Long story short, the girl ends up going to the hospital. Earlier in the evening she said when she partied at home she would drink about 8 drinks over the evening. She had approximately seven drinks over a six hour period, which kind of makes us wonder if she was on some sort of medication, as usually that amount of alcohol would not put someone in the condition she was in.
We called 911 and the police and paramedics came. The girl went to the hospital, we were questioned by the police. We all told the truth and cooperated completely with the police. It ends up that the alcohol she had consumed belonged to me. Thus, I was arrested. A friend of mine had purchased the alcohol and was also charged.
The police were very polite to us, and we to them. They said that they would let the court (we have a court date Jan. 12th) know this. When we asked about consequences, they replied that usually people get put on supervision for a period of time and perhaps some community service. They also mentioned that since we both have clean records we may be able to get the arrests expunged.
My questions are: How accurate are these predications about consequences?
and
What’s a ballpark figure for attorney fees in a case like this? (I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t get a public defender, right?)
My brother was arrested when he was 19 for contributing to the delinquency of a minor who was 17. IMHO, the police tend to be too quick to hand out that charge.
If nothing else you learned from this experience, right?
Get an attorney referral from friends or acquaintance, if you can. Even if you can’t, it’s worth it for you to at least have a consultation with an attorney.
You’re not going to hell for this one, but it will most likely go better with legal help.
Good luck, and quit believing what underage people tell you about their experience. She’s fine today, and you’re the one with the bust.
I’d call the judge and ask him/her what you can expect from a no contest plea. The last person I knew (rather not say who) that had this charge did this and all they got was a small fine for a misdemeanor and a few hours of community service.
Some judges are more lenient if they see you are willing to admit responsibility. Rather than attempting to place blame or dodge the bullet, so to speak. Be sincere and honest and show remorse. If you show up with YOUR own lawyer, expect a high fine, because obviously you can afford it.
Disclaimer: This IS in a small East Texas town though, YMMV
The NU cops are pretty quick to file that charge, I know a few people who got charged when I was in HS and college (grew up in Evanston)
Call an attorney just to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing! I won’t tell you to spend thousands on this, it’s a pretty minor thing in the grand scheme. I would be less worried about the courts and more worried about NU’s reaction. Check with your advisor to make sure this wont affect your academic standing.
The whole businees with that idiot making up assault and hate crime charges, the sexual assaultsaround campus, and the woman being attacked in NW Evanston in the last month has everyone on edge here, I’d be hiding under a bush if I were young and still hanging around the NU crowd.
My NU police story: Two friends of mine and I were arrested for criminal trespasswhen the NU cops found us on the Landfill at 2AM back in HS My friends got attorneys while I went and took pictures of the No Trespassing signs that were unreadable at noon and >100 yards from where we were, the judge threw our case out. My friend Jasons’ attorney thanked me for the pictures
Don’t screw around with a public defender. These guys are famous for handling cases in such a way as to minimize their own inconvenience and workload, regardless of whether or not it’s in your interests to do so. They aren’t ALL that way, but I’ve heard enough horror stories that I’d hire a lawyer who expected me to pay him.
more than you want to spend
Touch base with an attorney–try for a free consultation.
Be very polite in court.
Plan to plea no contest.
Plan to pay a fine or do community service.
Learn from this experience.
Ain’t it great being a “grownup”? I noticed things go down hill from age 16. Gotta pay for auto license plates, auto ins renewal, update finanical planning.
The major pluses are consensual intercourse and I can send dishes back to the chef.
I know there are more but I am sleepy right now.
I’m a public defender, and I can tell you that most of us are talented, devoted and zealous advocates who will do our best for you, despite the size of our caseloads. Don’t forget, a PD does nothing but criminal law and is more likely to be up on any changes in the law or wrinkles that a “paid” lawyer may not know about. Plus, he or she usually kows the prosecutors and judges better than someone who isn’t in the criminal courts every day.
You might not get a lot of hand holding, but you will get quality representation.
I really don’t care about community service or a fine; I deserve it. The main thing that I’m worried about is having the arrest on my permanent record. I know it’s not that bad of a charge, but currently I have a perfect record (including driving) and am hoping this won’t be there when I apply for jobs in a few years. The police sounded pretty confident that it would be expunged. They also commented multiple times that they appreciated how honest we were being with them. How much their word will influence the judge is really anybody’s guess though.
Someone mentioned something about trying to place the blame elsewhere…that thought hasn’t even entered my mine. Yeah, it was a pretty typical night out at college, but shit happened and that’s that.
I’m pretty sure that I’ll be put on housing probation by NU for the rest of the year. I don’t think this is the kind of thing I would be kicked out of dorms for, though. I know of a guy who through a heavy, wooden chair off of a dorm roof and hit someone on the sidewalk in the head, seriously injuring them. He wasn’t even kicked out. I (and pretty much everyone involved) meet with my residence hall coordinator next week.
My nearest hurdle, though, is telling my parents, which is not going to be fun.
**Trom[/b} Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that YOU would personally attempt to deny responsibility. But it can appear that way if you walk into the court room with a lawyer at your side.
What is it you expect the lawyer to do if it’s not to get you “out of it”. I’m no lawyer, but back in my younger days I was a bit wild and have some experience dealing with the law.
BTW I lived in Houston for a good while and Dallas too. Got busted in both. (no drugs or sex related FYI, just booze and fighting, fast cars, etc…you know, kid shit) You CAN even visit the judges there for a consultation. I have a few friends that are lawyers, a district attorney and several judges as well. I know most of the police and sheriff’s dept. in the local counties/cities. They will all (practically) say, if you are obviously at fault, consult an attorney but TALK to the judge. If you have a clean history, odds are you’ll get a slap on the wrist in his office and walk with a fine. If simply to keep his court less jammed. Matter of fact I’ve had judges thank ME for coming to them. (All minor crap like you’re talking about…ie: P/I’s, minor in possession, etc.) This was of course several years ago and the public’s tolerance isn’t what it used to be.
and Trom this is simply MY experience in these matters.
But, I ALWAYS got a better deal when I settled things with the judge personally and before trial. One reason is: NO COURT COSTS ADDED and he/she can get an honest look at you. This may not work for some folks BTW.
Sorry if I’m just flapping my gums. But I wasn’t sure that I was clear before. Wouldn’t want to mislead anyone for the worse.
