People Who Are Friends With Minors, Beware!
The law arbitrarily makes distinctions between individuals. The most common distinction is through age. In Utah a minor is anyone under 18 years old. Although considered an adult for purposes of determining whether the juvenile law applies to an individual or not, an 18 year old cannot buy cigarettes or alcohol. An 18 year old is an adult without being able to do adult things. This arbitrary distinction between individuals using age can present many problems. For example, if an 18 year old has sex with his 15 year old girlfriend he has just committed the crime of unlawful sex with a 15 year old even if the sex was consensual. This makes anyone over the age of 18 who associates with minors at risk to be charged by a Utah prosecutor with a crime because of the way the law views relationships between minors and adults. A Utah criminal defense attorney can help those charged with crimes involving minors such as enticing a minor over the internet.
When a Person Contributes to the Delinquency of a Minor
A common crime that people living in Ogden, Salt Lake, Provo, St. George, and the rest of Utah commit involving minors is the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A person is considered to contribute to the delinquency of a minor when an adult commits any act or engages in any conduct which he knows or should know would have the effect of causing or encouraging a minor to commit a misdemeanor or criminal infraction. Basically, if an adult commits a crime in the presence of a minor, the adult can easily be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor which is a class B misdemeanor.
The minor doesn’t have to actually be delinquent or commit a delinquent act for a charge to be levied against an adult. An adult doesn’t have to commit a crime either to be charged. An adult can do something as simple as telling a minor to do something illegal and the adult can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It is important for an adult who is friends with a minor to behave appropriately so criminal charges are not brought against him or her. On the occasion charges are brought though, a Utah criminal defense attorney from Salcido Law Firm is here to help.
Defense of Minor-related Crimes
If you have been charged with a minor-related crime, such as contributing to the delinquency of a minor, contact a Utah criminal defense attorney from Salcido Law Firm. A Salcido Law Firm lawyer will work with the prosecutor so you receive the best outcome possible. For a free consultation with a lawyer about your case call 801.618.1334 today.
