My 13 year old son got caught on I-90 with his pocket bike? ?

Question

Hi, I recently bought my 13 year old son a pocket bike for his birthday (wanted him to be happy) and yesterday he said that he was going out with some friends.

Lone and behold, 2 hours later, I got a call from the police department saying that my son had been caught with his pocket bike on I-90 doing 55 MPH and that he was to be charged for driving an illegal vehicle.

What should I do now? I'm expecting some pretty hefty fines and I really don't want bad face from this incident.

Answer 1

What to do now?........A little late for that now.

Answer 2

It's weak parents like you how need so badly to be liked that enable their kids to 1..kill themselves or 2..kill others.  Grow up, get some courage and sell the bike and make the kid pay the fines over time...

Answer 3

Its all about "face", huh?  Maybe you should have stopped longer at the brains counter on your way thru to your manicure.

Answer 4

You deserve what you get from this move.  

Answer 5

You are gonna have to pay fines, you might be able to get a bunch plead out if you have a good enough lawyer, but I agree with all of those that say the bike is gone. Punishment shouldnt stop there though. Ground him, spank him whatever you do for discipline, if for no other reason than he lied to you and could have caused his own or someone elses death. We all did that in some way growing up, but gettin caught should have consequences. As far as having a bike at 13 that would go 55, I had one, and i rode it in the hay field and down the gravel roads. Wasnt legal on the rodes but then I live in a rural area, kinda different here. I never would have gotten on a highway with it. Punish him and make him work to pay the fines at the least.

Answer 6

umm...why does your 13 year old have a bike that can do 55mph??  you should probably take it away and pay any fines that come of it, and make him pay you back.  

Answer 7

you need to sit the boy down and tell him... next time you see the fuzz, you outrun them boy!  a pocket pike that does 55mph should be able to shake them pretty quickly, what's wrong with this kid?

Answer 8

First get rid of the bike, this is a good example of why they should be outlawed. Punish your son as you see fit. He doesn't need to become a hero to his friends. IF it was me I would destroy the bike so he or some other little kid did not kill them selves on one.

Answer 9

Unless you can convince the police he won't do it again, by maybe taking the bike of him. Then you are in the deep end. He will end up with a record.

Answer 10

First of all he has no license. Second he's a minor.

He should fall into Juvenile Custody and depending on what his school reports and what his past records indicate he should be OK short of some stern lectures and some possible required class.

He's the only victim here technically, What he did was endanger himself. Since he's a minor and without a drivers license what penalties could be applied? Even if they do apply a juvenile penalty it will be expunged, but don't take my word for it because I don't know your state laws and I'm not giving you legal advice.

It is illegal in my state to operate a motorized vehicle by any unlicensed driver - so when an infraction occurs that involves a minor it falls under the Juvenile authority, basically they are police, judge, and jury - the police don't have the right to question a juvenile without their permission and their parents presence. What it should boil down to is whether you are a responsible and caring parent that is concerned about your child's safety and the law. And if your son is some kind of reckless non-caring abuser of the law. You bought him the thing and let him ride it, where doesn't matter because he's not a licensed driver where it is illegal to operate such a vehicle - therefore did you act lawfully and responsible? You've created this situation technically, not him.... he certainly broke your trust but who broke the law?

It's not about you so much as it is about him and his attitude. If you are worried about having a bad face more then his attitude as a result of this incident I'd be very very careful. The police acted to save his life the Juvenile Court will act the same way.... it's about him

If your state can fine you for his actions, I'd consult an attorney... if that's the case, then you are on trial for being a responsible parent

In most states I know I don't see how he could be fined or charged the same way a licensed driver or driver of age  could be....

We forgive juveniles for being too young and step in when they aren't being guided correctly, that's what "you" face and owning up to the responsibility is what faces you.... it's a choice you have to make - take it or leave it

Answer 11

Listen we were all 13 at one point in our lives ,take this as one of those moments you will look back on in 20 yrs and laugh about...But for now your son must suffer the consequences and learn that what he did was wrong!Pay up and move on...I had a motorbike at 13 ,I took my dads van for a joyride at 16 and i smoked pot at 14.I'm telling you this so you know it will be alright take it from a successful 41 year old

Answer 12

I think you have to learn from this experience as much as he does.  Obviously you couldn't have predicted this but he's 13.... try to sell the bike to pay for the charges, hes 13 so it wont be on an adult record, or effect his chances of getting a job ect.  as for saving face that went out the window, no its not that big of a deal as long as you dont let it progress into something much worse.

Answer 13

Edith, you made a big mistake and now you are going to pay for it. Behind every juvenile delinquent is a mother who just wanted their child to be "happy". He is lucky he's not in the morgue, and you would be facing a hefty jail sentence for child endangerment.

When a motorized gift is made to any child who does not possess a drivers license and insurance, they should be under the observation of an adult at all times while operating these vehicles. In addition there are safety requirements for the rider including a helmet and protective outerwear. Also, since it is not street legal, the area where he operates it should be closely monitored, and if private property, the owner needs to waive liability for the operation.

You need to take control here or the situation is going to get a lot worse quickly. You now know you cannot trust him, so reel in on the privileges, and pay close attention to his future actions. Sell the bike before you are paying for a funeral.

Answer 14

You should have to pay the fines for that.. I wouldn't give any kid a bike that can do 55 they can seriously hurt them selves if not kill them selves on it.. you should sell it.. and have him work to pay off what he did each kid needs to learn from his mistakes.. but as a motocross racer with many years of expereince with this stuff he never should have had that on anything besides a closed course? and what did you expect they are illeagal on all roads interstates or not?

Answer 15

Then I guess you know what to expect. I think that's about 750 worth of fines from everything to no license, registration, insurance, endangerment. Frankly, you'll be lucky if you don't end up in jail for the endangerment.

Answer 16

If you dont want to loose face?

Hey we all raise our kids the best we can, and even the best parents with the best schools etc can have this happen. What you need to do is be the parent,

he broke your trust and could have gotten Killed. No little feat.

Bikes gone/ sold ..no more till he's 18.

Grounded for x amount of time.

He has to work to pay fines back

thats life, but you already knew the answer , didnt you.,...

Answer 17

Your concern here is bad face? if either of my kids got caught on an interstate doing 55 on a pocket bike that can't be seen from the cab of a semi very easily, then I wouldn't be worried about bad face. That comment actually shows how poorly you make parental decisions. as to fines, in some states driving on a road without a license will keep you from being allowed to get one until 18. Also if it was a federal interstate there may be regulations as to the type of vehicles that can use it. As i recall, Mopeds can not use an interstate, and can be subjected to hefty fines.

Answer 18

wow, if i were his age and i did something like that i'd probably get my @$$ whooped. thats a VERY serious situation you got on your hands and he could've died. I think that you should monitor your son more closely because the things hes doing now are shaping up to be much worse. s***w the fine because thats not what you should be worrying about. If he doesn't learn from his mistake he's going to be in deep u know what REAL soon.

Answer 19

>>  I'm expecting some pretty hefty fines and I really don't want bad face from this incident.

Your son endangered his life and others, and you are worried about fines and BAD FACE?  If he was playing with a loaded gun at a mall, would you be worried about fines?

You need to change your outlook so that your son "GET IT".  He endangered his life!!  

There's a reason that we all take

written test,

road test,

6 hour safety course,

Driver's Ed for teens,

etc. etc.

Good luck...