Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

private property damage by minor

my 12 year old son did $27,000 worth of damage to a steel barn with a metal bat and lots of rocks. we are in no position to pay that kind of money at once to the owner. We (all adults involved did not want to file a police report) now with the estimate that high we may have to turn to insurance which would require a police report. How much trouble would he be facing? Will it be sealed or will this forever haunt him?How much restitution can a minor be made to pay? And would this be an easier option on paying this money back while also making him face the music.


Asked on 8/04/08, 8:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: private property damage by minor

It depends on whether he got charged out of it.

He is a juvenile so for the most part that record is sealed. There is no upper limit to the amount of restitution he (meaning you) could be ordered to pay.

Whether that is something you want to do is your decision, although you already know there have to be consequences for bad acts, even for kids.

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Answered on 8/05/08, 10:38 am


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