What To Do If Your Teenager Gets Arrested for Drugs
Denton drug lawyer explains how to protect your teen’s rights and fight charges
Teenagers are known for experimenting and for making impulsive and poor decisions. That means that a lot of them end up trying drugs at some point, and some even end up taking them frequently. The National Institute for Drug Abuse reports that 30 percent of 10th graders and 40 percent of 12th graders say they have taken drugs at least once in the last year. Even if you think that your teenager would “never,” it is likely that he or she would. Even one experimentation could lead to serious trouble if your teen was caught with those drugs.
Texas law treats drug offenses seriously, so your teenager could face big consequences if he or she were caught with any kind of illegal substance. A simple possession of marijuana conviction can lead to a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail term of up to six months. How you and your teen behave after he or she is arrested will have a big impact on the potential consequences. You can’t control what your teenager does, but you can certainly control your own behavior.
The first thing you should do when you get the dreaded phone call that your teenager has been arrested for drugs is to remain calm. This will be hard. You will instantly be frightened and angry. You will be worried about what is going to happen to your child, but you will also be angry at him or her for making such a poor decision. But if you are not calm, you are more likely to say or do something that will put your child at risk. You need to stay calm so you can have a clear head and make the right choices.
As soon as you can – either before you pick up your child from jail or right after – you should call an experienced Denton drug lawyer like Brent D. Bowen attorney at law. Your lawyer will advise you about your teen’s rights and what you need to do to minimize the consequences in the case. For example, your lawyer can be there any time that your teen is questioned by police to ensure that your teen does not say anything incriminating or sign anything that would jeopardize his or her future. Your teen may have already said or done damaging things before you contact the lawyer, so every minute counts. Make the call as soon as you can so you have legal guidance and protection.
Your lawyer will advise you that you and your teen should then follow through on all steps. That means showing up to all court hearings, and anything else that is requested. Turn in paperwork as required. Follow all court orders. Failure to do so could set the case back or lead to harsher sentencing.
Of course, you should also do your due diligence as a parent and take your teen to see a counselor. The arrest could have been from a one-time experiment, but it could also stem from a larger problem. The only way to know is to get your teen professional counseling and get to the bottom of what happened and whether it’s part of a larger issue.
You should NOT give police consent to search your teen’s vehicle or possessions without a warrant, and you should not agree to allow your teen to be a snitch and provide information on others in exchange for leniency without consulting with an attorney. Doing so could put your teen in danger. Your attorney will give you all this information and more to ensure that you do everything you can to protect your teen’s rights and minimize the risk.
Your teenager may be eligible for first time offender drug programs. You need an attorney to advise you of all the possibilities.
If your teenager has been arrested on drug charges, call experienced Denton drug lawyer Brent D. Bowen at (940) 222-2488. You can also fill out the secure online form to schedule a consultation. We protect your teen’s legal rights and build a strong defense to protect their future. Don’t wait, contact us today.
