When parents get the call that their teen has been arrested or accused of a crime, they are often shocked. They never thought that their child would do something like this, and they can’t imagine what would have pushed them to break the law. It may even be a minor law, but they still just didn’t think their teen would ever do such a thing.
One factor that could play a role is peer pressure. In some cases, teens may worry that they’re going to lose their friends if they don’t engage in these risky activities, or they will do it to try to prove themselves or to go through with a dare. They know that they don’t want to do anything illegal, but that pressure is just too much to overcome, and they so they do things that they later regret.
For example, a teen may know that drinking is illegal at their age, but they may be at a party where everyone else is drinking. If they fear that their friends and classmates will make fun of them for not participating, they may begin to drink and then eventually get arrested on charges of possessing alcohol as a minor or even driving while impaired.
This can happen to anyone
Remember that any teen can be susceptible to peer pressure. It may be surprising to you as a parent, but it can happen to anyone, and it is very common.
What this means is that you need to understand all of the legal options that you have when you get that call. You need to protect your teen’s future, and that means learning about potential criminal defense tactics.