What Should I Do if My Child was Caught with Drugs in Minnesota?
Many parents struggle with the same issue, what should I do if my child was caught with drugs in Minnesota? The answer to this question depends on the facts of the situation such as how were they caught, where were they caught, who caught them, what were they caught with, when they started using, and how much are they using. Regardless of the answers to these questions, the first step a parent should take if their child was caught with drugs is to have the child perform a chemical use assessment and follow recommendations. Recommendations from a chemical dependency evaluation may include complete abstinence from mood altering chemicals, inpatient chemical dependency treatment if the child’s drug use is severe, or outpatient treatment if the child’s drug use is in the early stages or more moderate. Many chemical dependency treatment programs are based on the 12 step Alcoholics Anonymous Program (AA). Other chemical dependency treatment programs focus on harm reduction therapy such as using medical marijuana rather than heroin or fentanyl. Another option parents may choose is to enroll their child into counseling or therapy. Furthermore, these chemical dependency treatment options can be combined, tailoring to the needs of your child.
Why is My Child Using Drugs?
Some children start using drugs because of problems in their home life such as parents fighting, feeling a lack of freedom and personal autonomy, parents fighting over the child during a custody or divorce proceeding, or due to issues at school. While children in Minnesota use drugs for different reasons, understanding the reasoning behind their drug use is essential to correcting their behavior before it is too late. In addition to understanding the underlying reasoning behind your child’s drug use, it is important to reduce any conflict involving your child to reduce their stress level.
Should I Tell the Other Parent that Our Child is Using Drugs?
Often parents that are separated do not see eye-to-eye, especially when it comes to co-parenting. However, if your child is using drugs, their problems may be more severe than what you are aware of. Generally, you should probably inform the other parent if your child is using drugs to provide your child with the most possible support to aid them in recovery and sobriety. If you are a parent that is currently involved in custody or divorce proceedings, informing the other parent of your child’s drug use and obtaining a chemical use assessment for your child and having them follow recommendations, may improve your position in the eyes of the court. The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC have experience representing Minnesota parents in custody and divorce proceedings when the joint child or children are struggling with substance use issues. Call (651) 468-2108 to schedule a free consultation for your custody or divorce case.
What Should I do if My Child was Caught with Drugs at School?
If your child was caught with drugs at school in Minnesota, you should contact a lawyer that is experienced both in criminal defense and representing clients against schools to ensure that your child’s Constitutional rights will not be violated. It is important for parents of students to know that school officials do not need a warrant prior to searching a student who is under their authority, as searching a student while at school does not require probable cause that your child committed a crime. Rather, the legality of the search depends simply on the reasonableness, under all circumstances, of the search. This comes down to a two-step analysis. First, was the search justified at its inception? And second, was the search reasonably related in scope to the circumstances which justified the inference in the first place? A search of a student is justified at its inception if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. A search is reasonable in scope if the means are reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and gender of the student and the nature of the infraction.
The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC are happy to discuss your child’s situation and whether a search was lawful during a free consultation. Call (651) 468-2108 to schedule a free consultation.
Will My Child’s Education be Impacted for Being Caught with Drugs?
If your child was caught with drugs at school in Minnesota, they may face suspension if this is their first disciplinary incident, or they may be expelled from school if the child has a history of discipline at school. While a suspension from school means the student is permitted to attend school after a period of time, an expulsion from school can remain on their school record—impacting their chances of being accepted into college. The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC have experience representing Minnesota parents and students against the public school district in student disciplinary proceedings. Parents of students should call (651) 468-2108 to schedule a free consultation if their child was caught with drugs at school to ensure their child faces the least severe consequences possible. Children caught with drugs at school may also face criminal consequences.
Will My Child Face Criminal Consequences for Being Caught with Drugs?
If your child was caught with drugs by law enforcement, then they may face criminal consequences such as a criminal conviction, fines, jail, and/or prison. However, if your child is represented by an experienced criminal defense lawyer, they may be able to avoid a criminal conviction, fines, jail, and/or prison. Moreover, depending on what drug and how much your child was caught with, they may be prosecuted as an adult rather than as a juvenile. If your child is prosecuted as an adult, they may be sentenced to adult jail or prison. The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC have the knowledge and experience to ensure your child is not taken advantage of in the criminal justice system.
Contact the Attorneys at RAM LAW PLLC for Quality Legal Representation
The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC are happy to provide you with a free consultation to teach you what to do if your child was caught with drugs in Minnesota. The attorneys at RAM Law PLLC represent clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Roseville, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Richfield, Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Hastings, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, St. Cloud, Rochester, Buffalo, Shakopee, Red Wing, Faribault, Chaska, Stillwater, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, and Bloomington, Minnesota.
Call (651) 468-2108 to schedule a free and discreet consultation if your child was caught with drugs.