What will happen to me if I have been given a summons to appear in court for contributing to the delinquency of a minor?
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What will happen to me if I have been given a summons to appear in court for contributing to the delinquency of a minor?
I have never committed a crime in my life (until now) and have never been to court. I am 18 and was in the back seat of a car with a 14 year old not doing anything, just talking on church property at night. She had snuck out to the church that night and had told me she was 16. A police officer pulled up and called the 14 year olds dad and he took her home. The officer then gave me a summons to appear in court.
Asked on October 29, 2011 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately in this situation, you were 18 and it would have been illegal if she had been 16 as well. You are 18 and considered an adult and should have simply declined her invitation. At this point, you need to hire an attorney who can somehow fix this so that you would not be in deeper trouble. Sometimes crimes like these are strict liability of sorts -- i.e, it makes no difference if you thought she was older. The fact she wasn't is oftentimes sufficient to make you liable. So talk to the attorney and see if you can either get a dismissal or a deferred conviction so you can have an option to have this expunged from your record.
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