Some people may think that juvenile charges in Louisiana involve only allegations surrounding a prank, or potentially an alcohol offense. While these types of issues can often come up in juvenile court, the truth of the matter is that kids can be charged with a wide variety of offenses.
A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of several weapons charges after a school system official claims that the boy was riding his bike carrying an air-soft pellet gun. The official claims that the teen also had a hatchet and a knife. The observation was not on any school property, but the school official notified police– two nearby schools were placed on lockdown after the alleged observation.
Authorities say that the 15-year-old was observed riding a bike near Cecil Drive in Watson, Louisiana. He never set foot (or tire) on any school property, according to a report in The Advocate in Baton Rouge. However, school officials locked down two nearby schools–Live Oak Middle School and South Live Oak Elementary.
A resource officer from the school system and Livingston Parish deputies apprehended the bike rider. The teen was processed at the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. He is charged with terrorizing and two weapons offenses.
Terrorizing charges in Louisiana are a significant felony offense. An adult can face a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison for a conviction of terrorizing. A juvenile facing serious felony charges can also face significant and lasting consequences in juvenile court. Teens accused of offenses in juvenile court certainly have the right to defend against the prosecutor’s allegations.
Source: The Advocate, “Two Livingston schools placed on lockdown; 15-year-old booked on weapons counts,” Sept. 25, 2013