Fort Washington, MD asked in Education Law, Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Maryland

Q: Can my son go to jail for taking a knife to school in Prince Georges County Maryland?

He was suspended in November 2016 for 10 days from school. I just found out today he submitted a written statement to the school police, no parent or representative on his behalf was present. He's 13yo and good to public school. I received a call 3/22/17 from Mr. Riggs at the Juvenile Justice Program located in Maryland courthouse in Upper Marlboro, MD.

1 Lawyer Answer
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Answered

A: It's a whole other ballgame as to what kids can bring to school. If the knife is illegal in general, then potentially YES if he is charged as an adult. It sounds like they are going to charge him as a juvenile which is not a jail situation but could be reform school or similar. In our practice of juvenile law, generally those cases work out favorably for the defendant compared with a criminal court.

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