chocoholic

My 18 year old godchild called me last night, for help and advice, as he does not want to tell his parents.

He was visiting friends on another campus (during his own Spring Break), and a bunch of them decided to go to a campus food court at 2 a.m. While they were leaving, one kid grabbed the fire extinguisher on the way out. So, now they are walking down the street with it. this kid starts spraying, then passes it to kid 2, who sprays, and passes it to godchild. OFCOURSE, a cruiser shows up, everyone flees, but gc decides that running is bad, and unnecessary, since he was innocent.

Long story short, he has 2 citations now. One for tampering with fire equipment, and one for alcohol on breath. He told the police that he had not sprayed, others had run, he had had beer at his Dad's before coming, he was not driving, etc. etc. To no avail. They did not bother to chase the other kids.

Now, I want him to tell his parents, but he refuses. He wants ME to tell him whether to plead innocent, and go to court, plead guilty and pay hundreds of $$ in fines, or get a lawyer, or do an Alcohol Awareness course through court which leads to dismissal of the alcohol charge, but also gets the license suspended.

I am quite clueless, but feel some obligation to stay connected as he is opening up to me and seems terrified.