Taking advantage of his car dealership owning parents being on vacation in the Bahamas, Cache Bar, a minor, invites his high school buddies over to liberate his parents’ locked libation cabinet. Well lubricated, Cache builds quite the bonfire in the backyard knowing that no one in their hometown of Daughtry, Texas, can water their lawns because of the severe drought. The bonfire consumes Cache’s backyard grass, and then spreads and destroys three million-dollar mansions on Cache’s street. When Cache is charged with intentionally starting a fire that recklessly damaged his neighbors’ homes, his parents scramble for a defense to help him avoid arson charges – a state jail felony. Cache’s parents read a news article about another Texas teenager who avoided jail by asserting an “affluenza” defense – that the teenager was the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for their son. Will “affluenza” keep Cache out of jail? If so, does that affect his parents?
Minors
Parents’ Liability for Children Pranks
By Jamie Ribman on
Posted in Family Issues
I have always enjoyed a good prank, particularly one with an element of revenge. Maybe it’s just the “good old day” syndrome, but it seems like kids’ pranks these days lack creativity. As I drive my 6-year-old to his T-Ball game each Saturday morning, we count the number of houses between mine and the field…
Liability for Providing Alcohol to Minors
By Jamie Ribman on
Posted in Criminal Law, Family Issues
Your graduating senior wants to throw a party at your house and invite his friends, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, the team Captain Morgan and their buddy “Wiser.” Is this a good idea?
Your son Graham is graduating from high school and you want to throw a party for him and his friends to celebrate. According…