Multiple cases of teenage boys heading to court after threatening their schools have occurred throughout Florida. A 13-year-old from Silver Trail Middle School in Fort Lauderdale now faces a second-degree felony charge after mentioning in class on Oct. 4 that he wished he could shoot up his school. That statement caused his teacher to report him to the police officer on duty at the school.
Police also arrested another 14-year-old boy who attended Franklin Academy. Authorities had been alerted to his social media posts that showed him with another teenager posing with an airsoft gun. They wore tactical gear and aimed a threatening message at the school.
The same day as that boy’s arrest, police responded to a call from Everglades High School. A 13-year-old boy had allegedly said that he would bring a gun to school and shoot the place up. The police report indicated that he made the threat because someone was bullying him. When he appeared in court, the judge ordered home detention and banned him from internet use. He is not allowed to return to his school.
When inappropriate or ill-conceived comments get a teenager in trouble, a parent could consult a criminal defense attorney. After reviewing the details of the case, the attorney could explain the meaning of juvenile charges and their potential penalties. Because a conviction for juvenile crimes could derail a young person’s educational opportunities during the teen years, an attorney might strive to get charges reduced or dropped. With legal support, the juvenile could navigate the court system and obtain leniency from a prosecutor or judge.
