Wrongly Accused of Throwing Fireworks at Somebody

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NY

Okay, so for the past month straight I have been taking nighttime bike rides around my neighborhood, clocking about 30 miles a day. I love it. I have lights on my bike, headphones, and never stop. A few days ago I was out at about 2:00 am biking and doing running laps, and I noticed my neighbor standing outside for three laps, and then a police car came and questioned me. All he asked for was my name and age, and asked me to take me to my parents. He told me that the neighbor saw someone going though his car. Yesterday, I was riding at 9:30, a time when people are still outside and walking their dogs, and the kid (about 19) from that house came out and stopped me and starting SCREAMING vulgarities at me, saying that I threw fireworks at the mother. He even grabbed my bike. Then he called 911 and reported whatever he thought was going on. The mother came out and I kept explaining that I am the kid from the other night, and that I had been doing this for weeks and I have my phone GPS tracking all of my rides. My dad came over after I texted him, and my parents know the neighbors, and that immediately calmed them down and they said that they now believe that it wasn't me. The man came out and said he thought he saw two people going though his car and riding around in their garden. He must have missaw it, as I was the only person out at the time the other night. I was doing both biking and running laps. Everything is cool now, the neighbors are okay. I don't think that I can go out late again, I am afraid that the police might come again. I am so disappointed, I loved clearing my mind and riding at that time. Is there anything I can do? I saw a police car in their driveway briefly earlier today. What can I do? Is there anything? I did NOT go into their yard, look in their cars, throw fireworks, etc. I never even slowed down or stopped.

You're probably not going to like this, but many parents - myself included - would balk at the idea of my teen biking around at 2am. Sorry kiddo, but while I understand the desire to clear your head - and I actually do dig the feeling of riding a bike like that, with the wind in my face - 2am isn't the time for you to be doing it.

Your parents need to be doing a wee bit more parenting.

Adjust your attitude. Don't call people "kiddo" and other people's parenting skills are none of your business.

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Quoting veoozo

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Adjust your attitude. Don't call people "kiddo" and other people's parenting skills are none of your business.

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And this, kiddo, is why you're going to keep getting yourself into trouble. Your parents are clearly missing something.

Wow ... a minor out at 2 AM on a SCHOOL NIGHT?!? Yeah, I am going to question that parenting decision.

And if your town has a curfew for minors, then every time you are out clearing your head, you are free game for the cops.

Since you were not charged with anything related to the neighbors' allegations that you tossed fireworks, there's not much you can do about it. No law will force them to change their opinion of you or what they think happened, so you can either shrug it off and move on, or, stay as far away from them as possible to avoid future problems.

What is wrong with you?

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Quoting cdwjava

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Wow ... a minor out at 2 AM on a SCHOOL NIGHT?!? Yeah, I am going to question that parenting decision.

And if your town has a curfew for minors, then every time you are out clearing your head, you are free game for the cops.

Since you were not charged with anything related to the neighbors' allegations that you tossed fireworks, there's not much you can do about it. No law will force them to change their opinion of you or what they think happened, so you can either shrug it off and move on, or, stay as far away from them as possible to avoid future problems.

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I don't start school for two more weeks smart one.

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Quoting Dogmatique

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And this, kiddo, is why you're going to keep getting yourself into trouble. Your parents are clearly missing something.

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Are you going to answer the question or not?

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Quoting veoozo

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I don't start school for two more weeks smart one.

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Ah, kiddo, since much of the country has started school already it was a reasonable assumption.

Of course, there is still the curfew thing ... assuming a curfew exists in your town (and most have them as a curb against juvenile delinquency).

I think the source of your problem is your 'tude.

As a note, I am the father of four sons - the youngest of which is your age. And, he is NOT out at 2 AM, he is NOT out being accused of causing problems, and he would NEVER even consider copping the attitude you demonstrate.

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Are you going to answer the question or not?

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And what question do you want her to answer? These? ...

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Is there anything I can do? I saw a police car in their driveway briefly earlier today. What can I do? Is there anything?

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I suspect the answers will be ... "No," "No," and, "No."

So, take a chill pill, go to bed, and next time either ride in another direction and avoid the neighbors, or, stop going out late at night.

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Quoting cdwjava

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Ah, kiddo, since much of the country has started school already it was a reasonable assumption.

Of course, there is still the curfew thing ... assuming a curfew exists in your town (and most have them as a curb against juvenile delinquency).

I think the source of your problem is your 'tude.

As a note, I am the father of four sons - the youngest of which is your age. And, he is NOT out at 2 AM, he is NOT out being accused of causing problems, and he would NEVER even consider copping the attitude you demonstrate.


And what question do you want her to answer? These? ...


I suspect the answers will be ... "No," "No," and, "No."

So, take a chill pill, go to bed, and next time either ride in another direction and avoid the neighbors, or, stop going out late at night.

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I do think this is part of the problem. For example, your sons are being raised by parents who are actually doing a bloody fantastic job if I may say so. Lack of respect is not an inborn problem - it's learned behavior, and it's clear that you're doing what parents are meant to do.... and not allowing that lack of respect to take root.

Even good kids can cop an attitude from time to time. But it's part of parenting to make sure that attitude is only ever a very infrequent visitor.

I'm telling you, when my girls - who are married with kids of their own! - start being obstreperous I only have to mention sending them to Aunty CourtClerk and they generally hush their respective muffins.

Legendary parenting. You're right up there too, Sir. :D

Okay, brat, here are your answers.

Is there anything I can do? No,

What can I do? Stop riding around at 2 am. Other than that, nothing.

Is there anything? No.

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Quoting cdwjava

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Ah, kiddo, since much of the country has started school already it was a reasonable assumption.

Of course, there is still the curfew thing ... assuming a curfew exists in your town (and most have them as a curb against juvenile delinquency).

I think the source of your problem is your 'tude.

As a note, I am the father of four sons - the youngest of which is your age. And, he is NOT out at 2 AM, he is NOT out being accused of causing problems, and he would NEVER even consider copping the attitude you demonstrate.


And what question do you want her to answer? These? ...


I suspect the answers will be ... "No," "No," and, "No."

So, take a chill pill, go to bed, and next time either ride in another direction and avoid the neighbors, or, stop going out late at night.

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Please stop calling me "kiddo". It is disrespectful.