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Speak Up! - View Question #24828 |
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Question: I took my moms car and drove with my friend. It was after curfue and we were just about to leave. I was out of the car and a cop asked me and i told him I have been driving without a permit or licence. We drove about a block and I cooperated with everything and he said he would put that in the report. I also apologized and he put that in as well. He said i was a good kid who made a bad choice but really what could happen? Could I be sued for endangerment by the other kids parents? any others?
Answer:
You do not say how old you are, or what state you are in. I shall assume that you are a teenager and shall answer with my experience in Arizona.
Firstly, you passed the "attitude test," which is very important. The way you act toward a policeman is very important as to how he writes his report and as to how he will testify at any hearing. You showed maturity beyond your age.
What can happen if you are tried in Juvenile Court is that you can be convicted of a misdemeanor and sentenced to a fine and some type of community service. As you are (I am assuming) a minor, the record or any conviction will not be available after you become and adult.
To sue you civilly, the parents of your friend would have to show that you actually endangered their child and that he was or they were damaged by the endangerment. Endangerment could be a criminal charge, but the police office apparently did not report such a violation. In Arizona the endangerment has to involve a significant risk of serious injury to your friend. There are no facts to show that you serious endangered your friend in your question.
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