My 17 year old was observed putting in his trunk a case of beer by a MC LEO. He was given a civil citation with a date to appear at some point in the future. He had not drunk any of the beer or had anything opened. At his Intake Hearing they can do one or more following: Refer him to a alcohol education program; Assign him to a work program; Require me to withdraw consent to his license to drive and inform the MVA of the withdrawal; Forward the citation to the State's Attorney for further action.

I have just two questions for those of you out there who live in Montgomery County (sorry not interested in thoughts from people on other places). Do we need an attorney, and if so can anyone recommend one who might be talented in these types of matters? Thanks.

 

John. Try calling John Boneta. He is my lawyer. He operates in FFX but I recall him knowing folks in MC he can refer you to. Sorry to hear what your son is going through and seriously these guys sometimes have nothing better to do.

 

with all due respect to the parties involved, the MC LEO just may have saved this young man's life...assuming the beer was going into the trunk to then be consumed at some later point that likely would have involved the use of the automobile, i.e. drinking and driving. None of this takes away from getting the best legal counsel one can. The news is full of alcohol related accidents (and worse) involving underage folks.

 

TS,

I believe the intent of the post was to ask for advice or the legal opinion of some folks on this board. I do not believe the intent was to solicit a sanctimonious condemnation about the virtues of their son transporting illegal obtained beer. We are all fully aware of the travails of drinking and driving and you piping up to remind us/Deckman about the pitfalls reeks of patronization. Then you proceed to make the mental jump from him transporting beer to drinking and driving. I see people of legal age transport alcohol all the time from the store to the trunk of their car yet, I do not automatically assume they will be consuming the beverage en-route on their way home.

By the way, advertising to everyone in the world you carry a TS/SCI security clearance isn't really great opsec. Just saying....

 

When one puts his/her drama on the internet, you should expect others to express their opinions..

I'm just sayin...

 

SigmaPi - did you ever miss my point....I was responding to the comment/suggestion that the police should have ignored the 17-year old's actions because they have more important things to do. If you feel that way, you probably do not have a teenage child, and if you do, sorry....but I'd put you in the irresponsible (and naive) category. As to the TS/SCI thing....pleeeezz....an OPSEC issue???!!!!

 

I am aware of all aspects and ramifications of what my son did, both good and bad. I was hoping to get a little advice on the legal aspects of this without having to go to my local friends and neighbors. I knew it was a possibility this would go off topic but was hoping it wouldn't stray too badly.

Thanks Berk.

 

TS you're right. I didn't realize you were replying to the previous post but to the OP. My first instinct was to stick up for a guy I have never met but who I believe was sincerely asking for advice. I don't have kids and probably never will but I don't need to have them to know what's right or wrong. We all make mistakes in life and I hate to see someone's nose rubbed in it when they are down and just asking for advice to remedy the mistake. With all that being said, please accept my apologies for sniping at your post. Mea culpa.

 

Deckman: A round-about way of offering help-

I have a collection of info on the best attorneys in NoVa that I have collected over the past 2 years from people who have used them and can recommend them based upon results. If you want that info to call and get a Maryland referral - PM me.

Good luck.