Arrested for skateboarding, do we need an attorney or do we go to court and pay fine?
Question Details:My 21-year-old son was arrested in Chicago for skateboarding. He goes to court on 12/11. Does he need an attorney? What can he expect? Does this go on his record? The police had him and 2 friends in custody for about 12 hours; no phone calls; their rights were not read to them.
The general good rule of thumb is to hire a lawyer if you can afford it. The charge that your son is likely facing is a misdemeanor - i.e. trespassing. The charge is punishable by a find - likely not exceeding $250. However, the charge may be placed on your son's record and follow him around. This may prevent him from obtaining entry into school or a job or prohibit him from obtaining a license. I suggest that - if this is your son's first offense - that he spend the money to obtain a lawyer. the lawyer may be able to get him into a diversionary first time offender program where the charge is dismissed at a later date. Or, the lawyer may be able to get the charge dismissed in exchange for community service. Make sure you hire a lawyer.
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