Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Virginia
I was invited to a Halloween party where I arrive @10:30 pm.After 30 min cops show up and start asking about drinking and drugs.I am 18 years and I was charge for Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor.At that party was more than 10 under 18 and 10 above 18.I was sober when the cops approach me and they ask me to give a ride home to other kids home.I do not provide anything(alcohol or drugs) to the party and I do not give anybody a ride to the party.The cops issue me a ticket for 28.2-27 Contribution to the Delinquency of a minor.Is my first offence .I should get a lawyer ?.Please help me decide what to do.
Thank you
I understand there is a max of 2500$ fine and one year jail time for this misdemeanor...
Re: Cdm 28.2-27 Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor
You definitely need a lawyer. You also need to make better choices.
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
Quote:
Quoting
GEORGESCO
I was invited to a Halloween party where I arrive @10:30 pm.
So you were not the host.
Quote:
Quoting GEORGESCO
After 30 min cops show up and start asking about drinking and drugs.
What did you tell them? What did other people say about you?
Quote:
Quoting GEORGESCO
I am 18 years and I was charge for Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Was everybody over the age of 18 charged? If not, why you?
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
not in my house/not the host
other over 18 was charged as well (CDM)
I told to the cops that i just show up for @25 min,and I did not get any drink or smoke/drugs
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
The law states that "Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor" is
Quote:
Any action by an adult that allows or encourages illegal behavior by a person under the age of 18, or that places children in situations that expose them to illegal behavior.
You're right about the jail and fine, you left out or didn't know that a one year lose of your drivers license is also a part of the sentence.
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
I was to that party for about 15 min,how I was contributing to the delinquency of a minor?.I didn't get anything to that party and it hasn't to my house ?
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
Quote:
Quoting
GEORGESCO
I was to that party for about 15 min,how I was contributing to the delinquency of a minor?.I didn't get anything to that party and it hasn't to my house ?
It's not about if you bought them alcohol or not, the complaint was filed because you did nothing to stop the underage drinking. You were there for 15 minutes just hanging out, not doing anything to stop or discourage the underage drinking from going on.
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
I just notice after watching more closely the ticket the law section is 18-2-37 not 18-2-27 how I believed.Is this change anything on charges pressed against me?
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
Quote:
Quoting
GEORGESCO
I just notice after watching more closely the ticket the law section is 18-2-37 not 18-2-27 how I believed.Is this change anything on charges pressed against me?
Well, let's see...
Quote:
Quoting Virginia Code, Sec. 18.2-37. How and where homicide prosecuted and punished if death occur without the Commonwealth.
If any person be stricken or poisoned in this Commonwealth, and die by reason thereof out of this Commonwealth, the offender shall be as guilty, and shall be prosecuted and punished, as if the death had occurred in the county or corporation in which the stroke or poison was given or administered.
I somehow thing you are still sharing the wrong number. Let's try this one:
Quote:
Quoting Virginia Code, Sec. 18.2-371. Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant.
Any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who (i) willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that renders a child delinquent, in need of services, in need of supervision, or abused or neglected as defined in §
16.1-228 or (ii) engages in consensual sexual intercourse or anal intercourse with or performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by a child 15 or older not his spouse, child, or grandchild is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed as repealing, modifying, or in any way affecting §§
18.2-18,
18.2-19,
18.2-61,
18.2-63, and
18.2-347.
If the prosecution under this section is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or rescue squad, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this section that such parent safely delivered the child to a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services or to an attended rescue squad that employs emergency medical technicians, within the first 14 days of the child's life. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child's safety.
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
I can't comment on what you're looking at, as I can't see it, but it is beyond obvious that the statute you're charged with violating is not Sec. 18-2-37.
Re: Contribution to the Delinquency of a Minor Charge for Alcohol at a Party
Mr. K's guess as to the law is almost certainly correct and what is written on your citation is largely immaterial. It will be straightened out before your court date. You should at least discuss it with an attorney. Some of the GDCs (especially ones around the major universities) have a fast track for charges like this to put you into a diversion program (you'll pay costs, attend the VASAP (the same program they put the drunk drivers through), and perhaps some community service) and you'll avoid a criminal conviction. If you get to court and this is NOT an option for you, I would immediately ask for a continuance to get a lawyer (and it would behoove you to have one when you return).