askthejudgeThomas Jacobs
Thomas A. Jacobs, J.D., was an Arizona Assistant Attorney General from 1972–1985, a Superior Court, Juvenile Division judge from 1985–2001, and a Family Court judge from 2001 until his retirement in 2002. He now serves as a judge pro tem and as an adjunct professor at the Arizona State University School of Social Work.
Ask the Judge - Teens and the Law
Recent Activity
-
-
An exception for Zero Tolerance?
You may have heard about 17-year-old Kim Peters, a senior at Willow Canyon High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Kim started competitive skeet-shooting in her freshman year. She has won several trophies in this male-dominated sport and aspires to earn her way on to the U.S. Olympic skeet-shooting team. Kim juggles a busy schedule including practicing her sport twelve hours each week.
Posted 21 Nov 07
-
Finland, Philadelphia and YouTube--a deadly connection?
14-year-old Dillon Cossey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania met 18-year-old Pekka-Eric Auvinen from Finland on YouTube. They traded e-mail and exchanged posts on a site they were both interested in--about the Columbine school massacre in Colorado in 1999. Dillon was arrested in October, 2007 for allegedly planning an attack on his high school. In early November, 2007, Pekka killed six students, a nurse and the principal at his school before killing himself. A rifle and other weapons were found at his home as well as a suicide note.
Posted 14 Nov 07
-
What rights do I have on the Internet?
Do you have any rights when you're online, whether at home, school or at your friends? Are you restricted in what you write or create on the Internet? The answers to these questions may surprise you.
Posted 07 Nov 07
-
-
Text Messaging While Driving - a $400.00 Ticket!!
That's right. Phoenix, Arizona passed a law this week outlawing TM while driving. A total fine over $400 may be ordered for anyone caught texting while driving. California, New York, New Jersey, Washington and the District of Columbia already have laws in place with fines starting at $20.00 for the first ticket.
Recent tragedies across the country have other states considering similar legislation to curb the use of cellphone and other devices when behind the wheel.In August, 2007 18-year-old Ashley Miller crossed the center line while texting, killing herself and another driver. In June, 2007 a head-on crash in New York killed five teenagers who had just graduated from high school. Seconds before the accident, the 17-year-old driver sent a text message on her cellphone.
What do you think of laws prohibiting the use of distractions while driving? Is it common sense that amounts to legislating against stupidity as British Columbia, Canada argues? Share your thoughts with others on this important subject.
Posted 20 Sep 07
-
What happens when a parent dies?
A guardian is a person who takes the place of your parents. He or she has the same responsibilities as your mother or father, including caring for you and your social, educational, and medical needs. Likewise, you have an obligation to obey and respect your guardian.
A guardian is either appointed by a court or named by your parents in their will. Usually, a relative or close friend of the family—someone you know—is named as your guardian.
In order for someone to be named a court-appointed guardian, the person must be screened and investigated to determine whether he or she can handle the responsibilities involved. If the court finds that the appointment isn′t in your best interests, it won′t be made. Another person will then be considered. If no one is available to be your guardian, the state, through Child Protective Services (CPS), will be appointed.
A guardian may be permanent or act as a guardian for you until you turn eighteen. If you get married or are adopted before then, the guardianship ends. In some states, if you′re a certain age, you′ll have a say in who becomes your guardian. You may have the opportunity to approve or disapprove the guardianship or request a new one. There must be good, sound reasons for the request, or the court will deny it.
Posted 06 Sep 07
-
Ask the Judge is part of a site currently still under development at askthejudge.info. The site is going to be a companion piece to a book Tom published titled. "What are my Rights, 95 questions about teens and the law."
The goal of the site is to create a safe place for teens and their parents get information about teens rights and how the laws effect them. I will let you know when we go live, should be later this month.
Posted 11 Sep 07
-
Hold old do I have to be before I can get my own place?
If you′re under eighteen, most landlords won′t rent to you without a parent or guardian co-signing the lease. This may be age discrimination, but it isn′t illegal. Owners and landlords require a legally responsible adult to be on the lease or rental agreement.
Once you′ve moved in, you′re required to pay the monthly rent and whatever additional expenses are spelled out in your agreement. This may include the first and last month′s rent, utilities (gas, electric,water), the phone bill, and a security or damage deposit. If your name is on the lease, you′re legally responsible for the apartment and for paying the expenses for the entire term of the lease.
You′ll be given firm dates for paying your rent and the terms for any damage to the property. If you leave the place in the same condition as when you moved in, your security deposit will be refunded. Read your lease agreement carefully before signing it, and don′t forget to keep a copy for yourself. Go over it with your parents and read the fine print.
If you have valuable personal property in your new place, consider buying renter′s insurance. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if someone breaks in and takes your clothes, stereo, and sporting equipment, you′ll be left empty-handed unless you have insurance. If you′re covered, you′ll be able to replace what′s been stolen.
Posted 06 Sep 07
User Statistics in Ask the Judge - Teens and the Law
Total Messages: 19
Topics Created: 9