So yeah sold a minor a pack of smokes today, court next weekFollow

In California, you're required to ID someone who appears to be under the age of 35. This is actually relatively new. It used to be that you had to ID anyone who appeared to you to be underage. However, that got them in a lot of trouble for the reasons I pointed out above. Appearance of age is pretty subjective, and it's darn hard to tell whether someone is 17 or 18. They bumped it to 35 on the idea that if the person looks "young", they're required to ID that person to verify that he/she is actually over 18.

I don't know about other states, but at least here it's absolutely not required that a store clerk ID every single person who purchases tobacco products. Only those who look like they "might" be underage.


And Smash. That depends on what the judge is going to do. Sure. If the standard for an offense like that is to dismiss it and charge a court fee, then take it. However, at least here in California, you'll get nailed for like a 1500 dollar *fine* (not sure if that's for first offense or not, but I know it's freaking expensive for some guy earning a clerks wage), not just court fees. They absolutely don't dismiss them. You get a fine and probation. If you get nailed again during probation you are subject to harsher punishments each time.

If you are in a state that does that, it is very much in your interest to fight for a reduction if you can. If you believe that the case involved entrapment, it's *definately* in your interest to fight it. Unless you're ok with having offenses in your criminal record for something you don't think you did wrong that is...

Myself any time i have to go to court i try to waste as much as the taxpayers money as possible and to make a mockery of the system. First ask for a continuance saying you want to cross examine both the police officier and the teenage girl. Court delayed, weeks sometimes months later, try to find some other reason to delay the case, if you can get it over a year you can usually win by saying that your rights to a quick and fair trial where ignored and you wish to ask for a dismissal.

This work great for radar tickets when you ask for all work records of the radar gun 30 day prior and post of the offense, especially if any work was done you can then ask to cross examine the guy who fixed it, plus the cop. One question thats important that alot of ppl forget to ask to the cop is did you test and calibrate the radar gun before issuing to ticket that day, most cops don't; automatical dismassal.

Also do you really care about your job, can you find another. You can usually blame your employer for improper job training, did you ever take a short quiz or watch a video on proper IDing of suspected minors if not, you can most likely get off. Bonus if they do then fire you within the next 6 months to year you could probably take your employer to court for unfair dismissal.

I am getting a new hope, at least hopefully in the near future. I've applied for a position at a home for metal disable children(i'm an education major), which is the real reason I'm worried about this.

I've applied for a position at a home for metal disable children(i'm an education major), which is the real reason I'm worried about this.

I'd smoke in court, then, and offer one to any children nearby.

I'd even go a step further, and tell you to be proactive- Inform your lawyer that you want to plea to anything less if it means that the charges won't sshow up compromising on your record. I'd also see what the schools in your area seem to frown upon (whether it's just felonies, just crimes against children, etc.). Now's your time to take some positive, informative action on your own behalf.

Edited, Thu Apr 20 10:06:29 2006 by Atomicflea

That was last week.

/nod Depending on what you plea to, you may also have the possibility of having the charge ex-punged off your record after a year or two, as long as you are not arrested for any other law violations during that period.

In Ohio you have to card anyone buying cigs that appears to be under the age of 27. If their card is expired or damaged in any way it isn't concidered a valid form of ID for the purposes of buying alcohol or cigs.

If you are charged as a misdemenor you don't have to report it to a potential employer if its a felony and they ask you do. You maybe able to explain your way into a new job anyway. I had marks for underage consumption and public drunkeness when I was 20 and am a teacher today because I was able to point out that I had made a stupid mistake and had learned from it.