Raising Up An Alliance of Discerning Luminaries

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It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, and consume alcohol. As a result, in addition to breaking the law, teens are particularly vulnerable to various problems that alcohol can cause. Some problems alcohol can cause are: addictions, heart and liver damage, slurred speech, impaired co-ordinations and slow reflexes. Alcoholism is a disease just like diabetes or high blood pressure. Consumption of alcohol can lead to intoxication and even death.

Studies of domestic violence frequently document high rates of alcohol and other drugs that impair judgement and increase aggression. We believe in order to reduce the incidence of these problems in the future; prevention of alcohol and other drugs abuse must be a top priority. If people knew more about alcohol poisoning, it could be avoided.

Alcohol poisoning, like other drugs overdoses, can occur after the ingestion of a large amount of any alcoholic beverage, including beer, wine, or hard liquor.

Alcohol (a depressant drug), once ingested, works to slow down some of the body's functions including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. When the vital centers have been depressed enough by alcohol, unconsciousness occurs. People who survive alcohol poisoning sometimes suffer irreversible brain damage.

CRIME: The crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is the operating any motor vehicle, aircraft, water craft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when the operator is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or the operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.10% or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.

PUNISHMENT: The offender could be fined from $300 to $2000, be sentenced from probation to 10 or more years depending on the number of offenses committed. The offender may also be sentenced to substance abuse programs.

Marijuana is the illegal drug most often used in this country. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the herb plant (cannabis sativa).  Other names are pot, weed, grass and herb.

All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs; they all contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the main active chemical in marijuana. 

Red eyes, dry mouth, laughing and hunger are some physical symptoms. The dangers of this drug is lung damage, panic reaction, and impaired short term memory.

Within a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the user will likely feel, along with intoxication, rapid heart beat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance. 

THC in marijuana is readily absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of the THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after smoking. However, in heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

CRIME: Possession of marijuana is a crime. It is unlawful for any person  knowingly or intentionally to posses a control dangerous substance unless such substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order from a practitioner. Marijuana is a schedule one drug.

PUNISHMENT:  

Penalties for possession

• First offense (under 14 grams): A fine of up to $100, with no jail time. Law enforcement is required to issue a summons instead of an arrest.
• First offense (over 14 grams): A fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.
• Subsequent offenses: The penalties escalate significantly for repeat offenses involving more than 14 grams, potentially leading to felony charges, higher fines, and longer sentences

 In Louisiana, a 17-year-old youth charged with disturbing the peace (disorderly conduct) can face misdemeanor penalties, such as a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days in jail. However, a recent law now allows some misdemeanors to be tried in adult court, so a youth could be prosecuted as an adult, potentially receiving harsher consequences than in the juvenile system. The severity of the penalty depends on the specific actions, the presence of other charges, and whether the case is handled in the juvenile or adult system. Understanding Disturbing the Peace

• What it is:In Louisiana, disturbing the peace is essentially another term for disorderly conduct. It involves actions that disturb public order or cause distress, anger, or annoyance to others. 
• What it isn't:This is a misdemeanor offense and does not include violent crimes like simple battery. 

Consequences for Youth

• Misdemeanor Status: Disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor in Louisiana. 
• Potential for Adult Court: A new Louisiana law allows 17-year-olds to be charged as adults for certain misdemeanor offenses, including disturbing the peace. This means that a youth could face the penalties of the adult criminal justice system, which can be more severe than the juvenile system. 
• Standard Penalties: The basic penalty for disturbing the peace is a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both. 

Factors Influencing Outcomes

• Aggravating Circumstances: If the youth is involved in other crimes simultaneously, such as vandalism or theft, this will increase the seriousness of the situation and can lead to more severe penalties. 
• Legal Representation: Because 17-year-olds may be tried as adults, they should seek legal counsel to understand their rights and the best defense strategy for their case. 
• Prosecutorial Discretion: Prosecutors can pursue misdemeanor charges in either the juvenile or adult court, depending on the circumstances. 

  In Louisiana, a juvenile facing a burglary charge for an act that would be a felony for an adult is handled in juvenile court, not adult criminal court, and the potential punishment involves juvenile detention or other community-based programs, though serious offenses with aggravating factors could result in a transfer to adult court. Penalties for juveniles vary based on the severity of the offense, with less serious cases potentially resulting in community service, fines, and probation. What is Burglary?

• Burglary is the unauthorized entry into a structure, vehicle, or other space with the intent to commit a felony or theft. 

Juvenile vs. Adult Court

• Unlike adults, youth accused of crimes are typically processed through Louisiana's juvenile court system.
• The juvenile system focuses on rehabilitation and is different from the adult criminal system. 

Factors That Influence Penalties
The specific punishment for a juvenile facing a burglary charge depends on several factors, including: 

• Severity of the offense:Was it an inhabited dwelling or an unoccupied building?
• Aggravating circumstances:Was a weapon involved? Was there a threat of bodily harm? 
• Prior history:A juvenile's prior record can influence the outcome. 

Potential Outcomes for a Juvenile

• Placement in a juvenile program: This can range from short-term, local programs to longer-term residential facilities away from home. 
• Community service: Juveniles might be sentenced to a significant number of community service hours. 
• Fines and probation: These are common outcomes, especially for less serious offenses. 
• Transfer to adult court: In cases involving serious aggravating circumstances, the juvenile court may transfer the case to adult court, where penalties would be more severe. 

In Louisiana, a youth charged with a simple assault may face consequences including detention, community service, probation, fines, and counseling, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The standard penalty for simple assault in Louisiana, under La. R.S. 14:35, is a fine of no more than $200 and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days. However, the juvenile justice system's specific sentencing for a minor is handled differently than for an adult, and penalties are tailored to promote the child's rehabilitation. What is Simple Assault?

• Simple assault in Louisiana is defined as an assault committed without a dangerous weapon.
• It involves the intent to cause physical harm or the intention to put another person in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. 

Juvenile Justice System & Consequences

• Children under 18 are handled in a separate juvenile justice system, which prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment.
• Potential consequences for a juvenile may include:
  • Incarceration: Time in a detention facility.
  • Community Service: Performing unpaid work for the community.
  • Probation: Being placed under court supervision.
  • Fines and Restitution: Monetary penalties, including paying for any damages caused to the victim.
  • Counseling: Required attendance at anger management or substance abuse treatment programs.
  • Family Counseling: The court may also mandate counseling for the parents or the family as a whole. 

Standard Penalty for Simple Assault (Adult & Minor)

• For any person convicted of simple assault in Louisiana, the legal penalty is a fine of not more than $200, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. 

Important Considerations

• The specific outcomes for a juvenile can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the court's assessment of the child's needs.
• A juvenile record can still have long-term impacts, potentially affecting future opportunities in education or employment. 

  In Louisiana, the crime of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, also known as statutory rape, is based on the age difference between the participants and is classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the offense. For youth who are perpetrators, charges and punishments are handled through the juvenile justice system. Here's a breakdown of the different classifications and their consequences: Misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile: This charge applies when a person aged 17 or older has consensual sexual intercourse with someone 13 or older but less than 17, and the age difference is more than two years but less than four. The punishment can include up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. A misdemeanor conviction may potentially be dismissed or set aside, and the offender is not required to register as a sex offender. 

Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile: A felony charge is used for more significant age differences. This occurs when a person 17 or older has consensual sexual intercourse with someone 13 or older but less than 17, and the age difference is four years or greater. The penalties can be up to 10 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and/or a fine of up to $5,000. A felony conviction for this offense cannot be set aside, dismissed, or expunged, and any prison sentence must be served in full without eligibility for parole, probation, or "good-time" credit. Conviction also requires registration as a sex offender. 

Considerations for youth perpetrators: The available information does not detail separate offenses and punishments for youth under 17 who commit this crime. The handling of such cases depends on whether the individual is charged as an adult or within the juvenile court system. Generally, minors under 17 are protected from prosecution for consensual sexual relations with other minors, especially if the age difference is small, under the "Romeo and Juliet" exception.