still not sure where to be posting this stuff, since i can't find a c/legal or whatever
so the original post was here in c/tactics : https://hexbear.net/post/119962
long story short, the cops upped the charges because my niece and her mom "didn't take it seriously enough". so what was originally something kinda stupid and small is now being blown up. Cop said one thing, walked away, wrote something else, and now it's up to a "misdemeanor theft". Cop took it very personally because my niece and my sister didn't react the way he wanted her to. He was very insulting to both the young girl and the mom in the process. They have to wait for some judge.
my question/ask is then: does anyone know what can be done about this? I'm assuming it will be a much bigger fine than originally thought, but it will depend on the juvenile judge... They definitely don't have money for a lawyer. Is there anything i can read into to help them at all (they're in PA, I live in a different state).
If they ate crow and talked to the Blue Lives people, would they be able to pull the charges, even if the cop went through with things because he "wanted something done about it"?
let me know if this should be posted somewhere else...
well, she took the flag, vandalized it, and then returned it. which is where we get 'theft' from in this case.
that's what I figure as well. just dumb vindictive bullshit power tripping. still frustrating, but thanks for sending those links!
Vindictive bullshit power tripping that, of course, will lead to further resentment of the police. An awesome opportunity to help radicalize the parents and kid alike.
The intent to permanently deprive element would be consequential here if the kid's plan was to take it away, mess with it, then put it back. It's not an academic point, either -- this is what separates joyriding from auto theft.
Only advice I can offer is be very careful about signing anything.
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Don't talk to the cops. At all.
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Given that they're pressing charges I would not be optimistic about the Blue Lives assholes. They could get more vindictive and get a restraining order, etc. Your call, just don't do anything not on camera.
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If possible, get a lawyer or at least a consultation with one or two.
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get a lawyer, post the gofundme if needed. If the charges were one thing and now they’ve been changed, it might be something to argue/use in court.
kid: "Cops fucking suuuuuck!"
Cops: "we sure do"
Also cops: "why do the kids hate us"
Here's a page from the Pennsylvania Bar Association where you can find an attorney who will do a 30 minute consultation for no more than $30. That will get you better information than anything you'll get here, and you may even get a simple way to resolve the situation. You can find a resource like this in about every state, too.
I am not sure what it is like in your state, but If you can, I would try looking into a possible plea in abeyance. It is a plea deal where you basically admit your guilt off the record and after completing a probationary period, the charges can be expunged from her record. I am not sure if they offer for the charges at hand but if they do its a good option. I am currently on one right now for speeding with drugs in my car and I previously had one for assault cause I punched someone who was harassing my friends. If they can get me off for those, I am very hopeful that this will for your niece.
Something similar to this might also be called a deferred judgment or deferred adjudication. Terms to look out for.
Sorry to hear this, PA sucks sometimes. I do think if nothing else we should remind ourselves that any action has to be fully considered, and that however based it may be, acts like this are not worth getting that on your record cause they will use it to screw you over. Don't let the chuds hurt you further by letting them harm your future employment
