Legal Question in Criminal Law in Minnesota

fog machine prank

So i just got off the telephone with my 18 year old son and am now both disapppointed as well as worried. My son and one of his coworkers were playing with a fog machine in a town home leasing office/community room where he works as contracted security. Unfortunately he didnt stop to think that it may set off a fire alarm. It did and instead of calling the fire department to say it was a mistake, him and his coworker just left the property in a panic.

I'm disappointed that he didn't think before he acted but at the same time I'm worried for him as he has finally landed himself a job he's happy with. What criminal charges could he face if he does what I told him to and confess? Or what may be the criminal repercussions if he chooses not to confess and they find out it was him? Unfortunately I don't live in the same state so I cannot scold him face to face.

Thank you ahead of time!

- Disappointed Father

PS he lives in Minnesota.


Asked on 11/06/08, 5:14 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Maury Beaulier612.240.8005 Minnesota Lawyers

Re: fog machine prank

Additional detaisl would be necesaary to determine whether your son could be charged with anything. I would suggest that you meet with a lawyer to go over the specifics before meeting with poolice or making any statements.

Read more
Answered on 11/06/08, 11:50 am
Thomas C. Gallagher Gallagher Criminal Defense

Re: fog machine prank

Confession may be good for the soul, but no good deed seems to go unpunished when it comes to confessions in criminal court matters. I'm not sure what crime he could be charged with without researching it, but it seems likely that they could come up with one. A person cannot be a criminal for "not confessing" alone, that is a sacred human right embedded in our Constitution. The best approach is to "never lie, but never say anyhting that could conceivably be used against you." What is conceivable? Best to consult a good criminal lawyer about that. The laws don't comort with common sense, all too often.

Read more
Answered on 11/06/08, 12:06 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Minnesota