That goes beyond being trusting, well into extremely naive territory.
Hopefully he is now fully aware that police (not just in Waco, not just in Texas, but everywhere) will NOT let people know what to do or say to avoid being arrested for drug possession or other crimes, misdemeanor or otherwise. He should also note that it is perfectly LEGAL for police to lie to suspects during interrogations. 100% legal.
“What’s a kid supposed to think. He’s “cool” in Colorado and a “felon” in Tx.”
Well, yeah. All Americans need to understand this.
I’ve had a lot of clients from California and the Northeast who live in a coastal milieu at Rice, Tulane, Emory, etc. When you’re surrounded by like-minded people, it’s easy to forget that you’re not actually back home. That’s no defense when you’re caught with drugs in Georgia.
I live in a conservative state, and am shocked that the kids here still don’t get that possessing pot is a crime. They hear that pot’s legal in other states and figure it’s no big deal. It doesn’t matter that we live in a country where there are no borders between the states, and that except for the “Welcome to ____” sign you don’t notice when you’ve driven from one state to the next. The differences between state laws is real and is significant. It’s frustrating that the kids don’t really get that.
And thank you to the poster that recommended the videos of what to do if you’re stopped. This is good summer watching for my student.
It seems like a real sense of entitlement…they don’t take drug use seriously, and don’t care if others do. Some cultural sensitivity to local laws is advisable, particularly by those who are no longer children.
“What’s a kid supposed to think. He’s “cool” in Colorado and a “felon” in Tx.”
And it’s even worse, and more dangerous, if your kid is doing a semester abroad. Whatever you do, remind your kids that they’re not in America anymore, that jails in some countries abroad are not like anything they’ve ever seen, that there may be no presumption of innocence, that they don’t have the right to remain silent or to an attorney. And that even childish pranks can land you in deep trouble.
@Chedva As a UVA family, we are def aware of that. Otto Warmbler was incarcerated and ultimately killed for taking a poster.
As the OP, I would like to thank everyone for their advice and information. It has been immensely helpful and I am grateful. We have all we need to continue on this journey.
The police did not take advantage of him. He broke the law and it’s the job of the police to enforce it. It’s time to stop making excuses for his behavior. Or if your point is marijuana should be legal, that’s an issue to take up with the Texas legislature, not blame on the police or the local prosecutor.
Here comes the flogging by sanctimony.
@grandscheme thanks for sharing your story. Unfortunately, my brother found himself in a very similar situation. Coming from Cali, on a road trip to Florida. He & his girlfriend stopped off in Colorado (weed, bong, and 6 “pens”). They were pulled-over in a small town in Texas & my brother said he was completely honest with the cops and told them what they had purchased-- both of them were hauled to jail with an expensive bail bond. What a nightmare!!! He said the cops told him, “Your California license plates caught our attention.” Who knows how this will all play out. Very sad.
I’m sincerely curious, road trip. Did he not realize weed was not legal throughout the US? Would he have boarded a plane for abroad similarly? He just doesn’t think about it?
So, there are 10 states where the recreational use of weed is legal. Many road trips, and no cross country ones, occur solely within the boundaries of those 10 states. He may have been caught in Texas, but it isn’t legal in his destination of Florida, either. Or most of the states he drove thru between Cali and Florida. Useful reminder to our kids.
Yeah but it’s kind of a mixed message. It’s “ok” on this side of the street but not “ok” on that side.
Anyone else old enough to remember when different states had different legal drinking ages? Don’t see how this is much different. DD spent over 6 months in Germany where she could legally drink, she’s been back in the US for 2 months and has to wait another 2 months before she’s 21 to drink here. Know the law where you are, it’s not that hard of concept.
D, 20, just wrote me that she had a Moscow mule in Florence! Like the D of @3scoutsmom, she will get back to the US four months before she turns 21.
Earlier in the summer we took a road trip to Colorado and passed several of these billboards on the way back home:
http://txcann.com/pot-leaf-billboards-texas-turning-heads-catching-flak/
Our kids need to remember their US history lessons! We’re a federalist system, “a central government that has certain powers, with the state as the basic unit of political power.”
I think the billboards do a real service. Might make kids focus that it’s illegal.