Lansing, MI asked in Criminal Law and Probate for Michigan

Q: My son is 13 and he keeps finding a way to smoke weed. Can I put him on probation?

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: Probation is something that's part of a criminal sentence. If you want your son to have a criminal record, you can make a police report. Then the police and prosecutor can find a way to charge him. It could also get you a visit from Child Protective Services. Those things may not work out so well for your family.

My suggestion would be to get help; in terms of both substance abuse counseling for your son, and family counseling for you both to explore why your attempts to discipline your son aren't working. Maybe there are other things going on that this is a symptom of, and not the main problem.

Brent T. Geers agrees with this answer

A: Agree. When you involve the criminal justice system - police, prosecutors, courts, etc. - you waive your right to dictate what happens. They are going to do their job, which is probably not what you want them to do with your son.

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