Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

contriuting to deliquency

My boyfriend is 17 and he went to court for contributing to a minor. I am the minor and I am 16. The judge said he cannot be around me. Both are parents allow us to be with each other. Is there any way that can get dropped or will it not affect us when I turn 17?


Asked on 3/12/02, 9:14 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Neil O'Brien Eaton County Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Re: contriuting to deliquency

You did not give any details about what the facts of your case are about, so it is difficult to provide a specific answer to your question.

"Contributing to the delinquency of a minor" charges can cover a lot of situations -- e.g., an adult causing a minor to commit a criminal act (like shoplifting), etc. Therefore, I can only assume that the judge believed that your boyfriend was a bad influence on you, and that as long as your boyfriend was under the judge's authority, the no-contact order was necessary to protect you from him.

You, your boyfriend, your respective parents, and your friends may disagree with the judge, but you still must obey the court order. I see this every day in court, and 99% of the time the judge is doing the correct thing: the problem is that the kids' parents have lost their perspective and objectivity, and don't see the possible harm in the kids' relationship, or the parents can't control the kids. In those cases, a "higher authority" has to step in, and that's the judge.

The judge's order "trumps" your desires, and your parents' lenience. Until your boyfriend's case is closed, the judge's order MUST be obeyed. If not, your boyfriend, and others (including you) who interfere with his order could be held in comtempt of court, and sanctioned. Your boyfriend is the most likely target of the judge's contempt powers.

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Answered on 3/13/02, 8:44 am
Nancy Moore Nancy L. Moore, Esq.

Re: contriuting to deliquency

You can file a motion to amend/change the order. Contact a criminal defense attorney in your area.

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Answered on 3/13/02, 10:05 pm


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