Speak Up! - View Question #16988

« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #16988

Question: I slept over at a friend's house and her mom took us out t.p.-ing. We toilet-papered my boyfriend's house and chalked my dad's house. When my mom found out, she freaked! She said that we could be guilty of trespassing, vandalism and criminal damage, and that it didn't matter that an adult was with us. She said my friend's mom was contributing to the delinquency of a minor, whatever that means. Is she right?

Answer:

Someone contributes to the delinquency of a minor if they encourage anyone under 18 to do something illegal, or help them do something illegal. Contributing to delinquency is a misdemeanor (ARS §13-03613). Your friend’s mom drove you to the locations to do something that is against the law, which aided you, so she could be prosecuted for contributing. The penalty for contributing is a fine of up to $2500 for each violation plus possible time in jail and/or probation.

 

The mother could also be charged as an accomplice to the crimes themselves. An accomplice is anyone who aids or encourages someone to do something illegal. The Law considers being an accomplice the same thing as committing the actual crime itself (ARS §13-301; §13-302). So as an accomplice, she could be prosecuted for all of the offenses you and your friend committed.

 

The official names for the illegal acts she helped with are criminal trespass, littering and criminal damage.  Each of these is a separate crime:

            - Criminal trespass is a misdemeanor if it involves going onto someone’s property without permission or when there is notice that you're not allowed to be somewhere. It's a felony if it involves entering into a building or someone's fenced yard (ARS §13-1502).

            - Criminal damage (which includes defacing any property) is a misdemeanor if the damage is under $250, and is a felony if the damage is over $250 (ARS §13-1602). 

            - Littering (putting Toilet Paper on someone's lawn or trees - or in a public place) is a misdemeanor (ARS §13-1603).

 

You and your friend could each be charged with the crimes of trespass, damage, and littering. In juvenile court, that could result in probation, time in detention, removal from your family, even possibly going to prison at the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. The criminal damage charge can also make you lose your driver’s license until you turn 18 (ARS §28-3320).

 

Also see:

TP Spells Trouble in the Law Toons section

Long Day at the Mall in the Law Toons Section.


Comments
1 thru 4 of 4 comments
On 11/13/04
Joe from PA said:
I personally believe that you didn't do anything seriously wrong. If you are good friends with the person then they wouldn't press charges. The other people who have commented must not remember what its like to be a kid; A little bit of harmless mischief never hurt anyone. However, if you do it, expect to clean it up or don't complain if they do it to you. If its all in good fun then there is nothing wrong with it.
On 11/02/04
Bubbles from WA said:
Just because an adult says that it is ok or suggest the idea, it does not mean that it is always ok. It is sad that in todays society you can't always depend even on adults to make the smart choices. You need to think about all the things that may happen before acting. Just remember the saying "for every Action there is a reaction" Try to think smart and do what you feel is right. The saying "Just say no" is a good thing to remember even if it is an adult. Sometimes the kids can act more responisible than the adult. I hope that you went and appologized to these people as well as helped clean.
On 11/01/04
Riri from TX said:
she is very right you might go to jail
On 10/28/04
Paco from AL said:
What were you thinking. Did you think your dad was going to be happy because you messed with his house? Did you think that your boyfirend was going to like you more when you TP'd his house? Why would that be funny? Your friend's mother needs to grow up and get some common sense. It sounds like she has the real problem. She is trying to be a 'cool' mom instead of a responsible parent who is a good role model. She sounds like the type of mther who would allow her kids to smoke and to drink beer...just as long as it was at home with her. She needs help. Hopefully you learned a good lesson.
1 thru 4 of 4 comments



Read more about the law and Vandalism and Property Damage
Related Stories
Related Laws
  • Vandalism and Property Damage
    • No laws found!
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #16988