Anyone's college student been arrested for public intoxication?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was your DS at an OFF campus house when this incident occurred? Was this in Williamsburg?

Yes, this was off-campus but I’m really not comfortable saying where yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. To answer some of the questions, he was not belligerent at all. He said he was completely stunned and very cooperative. The police kept him overnight and did not let him make a phone call - is that legal? They released him the next day after his blood/alcohol level was stable.

Sorry if I'm not using the correct terminology, I'm not in the legal field nor am I familiar with these charges. He texted me pictures of the ticket/summons, with the charges - public intoxication and possession of alcohol under age 21.

A PP mentioned security clearances and this is exactly what we're concerned about as he hopes to work with the intelligence community at some point.




Do something to show contrition -- e.g. alcohol and drug education. Getting drunk in college once will not hurt an intelligence or law enforcement career unless he LIES about it. The thing he needs to be aware of if he ever wants to hold a position with a security clearance is that they will speak to people who knew him back in college and ask about his habits, drug use, alcohol use.

Happened to me. It was totally fine. I am a fed now. Really not a big deal although I'm sure it feels like it now. Be nice to your child, a night in jail is traumatic regardless of why he was there. I just got screamed at and still resent the way my parents handled it.

What state/school was he at? I'm guessing the south

Thanks, PP. Yes, we've been upset, but more empathetic than anything. He did seem to be completely shell shocked by the experience and is very scared about what might happen. Even though I'm annoyed, I really just want to give him a big hug and tell him it'll be ok - though I don't know if that's true. At any rate, he's definitely learned his lesson re: drinking underage. I don't want to say what school/state until this is all over with.

Give him, and yourself, a big hug. It's traumatic for both of you and right now you both need love and support. He from you, and you from friends/family. It was a big changing point in my life and actually still signifies in my mind the lack of support and love I had from my parents when it came down to it. Kids make mistakes it sounds like he is remorseful. This may be a good time to show that even at the worst times you'll be there to 1. Love him and 2. Teach him.

I wish I could give you a hug!

Good luck. This too shall pass.

Ok, so I hadn’t cried about this yet until I read your post, and now the tears are flowing. Thank you so much for your words of support, PP. I feel like a miserable parent right now and I know my son is scared to death and extremely remorseful. I can’t think about anything else and have a huge pit in my stomach. So thank you for your kind words, they really did help.

-OP

[Anonymous]

So nice to see support offered on this forum. It seems more common on other DCUM forums.

People who reach out to strangers on the internet are often doubting themselves and looking for a safe, quick place to get help. I wish this forum could be made safer (and less judgemental) for parents who are, for the most part, doing the best they can.

[Anonymous]

Three areas it can be an issue (but likely won't):

Intel Security Clearance
Law School Bar Admission
Overseas work or travel visas

For those reasons, a consultation with a lawyer is probably in order to see if there is a way to get it expunged (at least for the visa purposes). I agree with the security clearance advice just don't lie about it, but for visas getting it expunged or dropped might be enough.

I also agree wtih the understanding comments and showing him support, but would note should he do this again (or god forbid a thrid time) then the authorities who are going to look at this later in life are going to move it from the category of 'youthful screwup' to 'possible pattern of behavior'.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone explain the difference between having the charges dismissed vs having them expunged? I’m not clear about which is the more favorable option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So nice to see support offered on this forum. It seems more common on other DCUM forums.

People who reach out to strangers on the internet are often doubting themselves and looking for a safe, quick place to get help. I wish this forum could be made safer (and less judgemental) for parents who are, for the most part, doing the best they can.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain the difference between having the charges dismissed vs having them expunged? I’m not clear about which is the more favorable option.

dismissed is far more favorable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain the difference between having the charges dismissed vs having them expunged? I’m not clear about which is the more favorable option.

dismissed is far more favorable

no expungement means they remove all records of the case

[Anonymous]

Dismissed that there is conviction related to the charge, but the charge is still on one’s record. Expungment means that the charge was dismissed and removed from one’s record. Dismissal has to happen in one of a few specific ways in order for a charge to be expungable.

[Anonymous]

He’ll be fine for future employment as long as he doesn’t lie. And as long as he doesn’t make this a pattern.

I was arrested for the same thing in college and So were several of my friends. Absolutely NONE of us told our parents the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So sure, believe your child’s story but verify with the police report. Consider your son is not being completely forthright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain the difference between having the charges dismissed vs having them expunged? I’m not clear about which is the more favorable option.

dismissed... not charged, arrest is on his record.
expunged... not charged, arrest is NOT on his record.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you keep speaking as if your son is blameless - t being disruptive, noisy.

You truly have no idea. I’m not saying he deserves hard time, but he was breaking the state’s drinking laws and may well have no clue how drunk and disorderly he was. Perhaps he was urinating in the bushes?

The point is it doesn’t matter. This is, hopefully, a teachable moment and he will get his partying under control. Or this could be what he’s been doing every weekend, the only way he and his friends know how to unwind, and this is just the first time he got caught. In which case I would be a bit grateful.

OP here and

nowhere did I say my son is "blameless" - I said he (and we) take full responsibility for the fact that he was drinking underage. Period. The charges weren't disorderly conduct or urinating in public. One attorney advised him to go to the police station and request a copy of the police report so we can see exactly what the arresting officer witnessed. And we'd also like to see the body camera footage as well, as hopefully that will confirm that he wasn't acting belligerent in any way.

Yes, this is absolutely a teachable moment. I agree with you there.

That's your tax dollars at work. Ridiculous !
So the police can get a complaint about a loud house party. They will screen people as they leave. They look for anyone who looks underage and drunk. Just tell us the state and you can get a lot more information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, the state started sending undercover cops to Virginia Tech tailgates. I doubt the school has any say in the matter or request

ed it.

It's a way for the local police to increase revenue at the expense of parents. Small town police are the worst.

[Anonymous]

And the kids? the schools? No fault anywhere else?

It is illegal for kids to drink before they are 21. Those laws are thoroughly evaluated, and have saved thousands of lives. You can make it all sound as harmless as you want. But the police are enforcing a law that matters. Remember when that boy was let go with a warning by police a few years back, and he died walking home (drowned, I believe in a small stream...or died from hypothermia). They were crucified for not doing more. The point is, it is not safe to walk around by yourself when you are drunk. If you have taught your kids that such laws came about to line the pockets of small town cops, you have done them a disservice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain the difference between having the charges dismissed vs having them expunged? I’m not clear about which is the more favorable option.

dismissed is far more favorable

no expungement means they remove all records of the case

But it will still turn up on a government investigation, correct? And don’t you still have to admit you were arrested on forms like the SF-86?