Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

rights of a 16 year old

can i get in trouble if i refuse to give a written statement to the police in front of a judge about me being on a all terain vehicle as a passenger with my boyfriend driving and running from the police and we weren't caught?


Asked on 8/28/06, 1:42 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

Re: rights of a 16 year old

Your question is very confusing.

All defendants in the US are protected by the Constitution from incriminating themselves. That means you are never obligated to make a statement that incriminates you -- it does not always protect you from incriminating someone else.

Am not sure what you mean by 'getting into trouble' -- you can be held in contempt if the court orders you to testify, and you refuse, and the statement would not incriminate you.

It sounds as if you need a lawyer.

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Answered on 8/28/06, 2:36 pm
Dan Montalvo Dan Montalvo Attorney at Law

Re: rights of a 16 year old

This is a tricky situation. You may incriminate yourself depending on what you say. If that is the situation you can invoke your 5th Amendment rights. Should that not be the case, that is where it gets tricky. You are better off consulting an attorney in person. Without your information they may not be able to make a case.

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Answered on 8/28/06, 2:44 pm


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