Off-Topic

What I would personally try to do -- lay the smackdown on him, tell him he's going to have to pay the $300 or any other fine himself, and then tell him that he's going to have to do a bunch of other stuff for getting a citation at 16. Then go talk to the cops/judge and tell them that your son is a moron, that you've already put the fear of God into him, that he will do his best to shape up, and he will voluntarily do 25 hours of community service or something to make up for it...and that's a far better result for all concerned than him having this on his record.

Judges/cops appreciate strong parenting and unless they're assholes, no one is going to want to ruin a good kid's record, especially when the parents are committed and involved like you are. Just tell them something that lets them think that you are willing to make your son take responsibility (and that therefore they don't need to do so).

Definitely agreed. Hence my suggestion on some self-imposed penalties (not just the grounding, but stuff like she'll be doing community service at _____ or whatever) always helps. Also, not sure why I assumed it was a boy, not a girl. That changes things, I think. People are way more lenient on girls when it comes to that stuff.

Don't know the facts, but I'd be surprised/disappointed if those charges aren't dismissed on court costs or something. There are enough actual delinquents for the system to deal with, and enough kids without parents who are involved and providing discipline, for the system to waste its time with underage drinking citations.

I like how everyone was just assuming the 16 year old was a boy.

I'd try to fight it...there are certain career paths you can't go down if you have an underage on your record (teacher, etc.). With the right judge, you may be able to talk it down to a disorderly.

I love that he asked for legal advice and you, who happen to be in that field (I assume from things you've said before) and who are not a parent decided to dispense parenting advice instead. I agree with what you're saying in general, but c'mon man.

Yeah, right. No parents that I know would react that way. I'd say 95 percent are going to yoke their kid up. Anyway, it is what it is. Just want to know from someone in the legal profession in PA what the best course of action is.

Sometimes it's more polite to answer the question asked that you have experience with instead of spiraling off into territory you don't know anything about and trying to offer unnecessary advice. Just noting the disconnect there. But since dsnider seems doesn't seem to be bothered, this is pointless so I'm gonna pull my dog out of this fight.

\/\/\/ and there it is

I think he's just trolling tonight for some reason if it makes you feel any better.

Yeah, well for his sake I hope none of his kids ever mess up or get caught so he doesn't feel how much of a kick to the gut it is. This is a relatively minor offense legally but it still has me sick to my stomach. I'm doing what I need to do as a parent as far as her punishment, and trust me, it is not mild. I also feel like I'm doing what I have to do as a parent to protect her as much as possible from the legal system.

I guess MisterSmiley's idea of being a good parent would be throwing her to the wolves and doing nothing to protect her legally. That's the kind of Dad I'd love to have.

I think you are misunderstanding my post, so I will just apologize. I am drunk and trolling but that wasn't my intent with my post.

I read Smileys post as saying that in this situation Terp99's advice was appropriate to the situation even if it wasn't what you might call legal advice. Don't think he was knocking dsnider at all.

wtf, you are worried about her not being able to drive for 6 months? except to a part time job if he has one, no reason a 16 year old needs to drive anywhere for the next year. teach her a lesson you miserable excuse for a parent.