What Are My Rights?: Q&A About Teens and the Law

by Thomas A. Jacobs

Overview

Accessible, straightforward answers to more than 100 questions about teens’ legal rights and responsibilities.

“Can I be prosecuted for comments I make online?” “What are my rights as an undocumented teen?” “When can I get a tattoo?” These questions—and many more—are asked and answered in What Are My Rights? Teens often have questions about the justice system but don’t always know where to turn for answers. This book provides those answers, exploring more than 100 legal questions pertaining specifically to teens. This revised and updated fourth edition includes fresh facts, updated statistics, and brand-new questions and answers. Using a straightforward tone and drawing on examples from real-life juvenile court cases, Judge Tom Jacobs helps readers learn about the laws that affect them, appreciate their legal rights, and consider their responsibilities.

Teens & the Law Series
The Teens & the Law series familiarizes young readers with our legal system, dispels myths and mysteries, and shows that the law is by and for the people—including teens. The books cover numerous important legal issues pertaining to young people, such as the rights of minors; the rights to privacy and freedom of expression; the rights of gay and lesbian students; the rights of students with disabilities; the rights of parents, schools, and workplaces; the voting and political system; abortion; living wills; traffic laws; curfews; probation; and juvenile versus adult court. Crimes discussed include forgery, obscene conduct, defamation, vandalism, gang-related crimes, gambling, theft, underage drinking, drug and weapon possession, hacking, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, rape, hate crimes, arson, threats, and violence. Each book offers discussion points, tips and advice, detailed resources, emergency hotlines, and probing questions for further reflection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631983115
Publisher:	Free Spirit Publishing
Publication date:	03/25/2019
Series:	Teens and the Law
Edition description:	Fourth Edition, Revised
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	265,515
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1110L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Thomas A. Jacobs, J.D., was an Arizona Assistant Attorney General from 1972 to 1985 where he practiced criminal and child welfare law.

He was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1985 where he served as a judge pro tem and commissioner in the juvenile and family courts until his retirement in 2008. He also taught juvenile law for ten years as an adjunct professor at the Arizona State University School of Social Work. He continues to write for teens, lawyers, and judges.

Visit Judge Jacobs’s website, Askthejudge.info, for free interactive educational tools that provide current information regarding laws, court decisions, and national news affecting teens. It’s the only site of its kind to provide legal questions and answers for teens and parents with the unique ability to interact with Judge Jacobs and other teens.

Judge Jacobs was part of an expert panel of guests on the Dr. Phil show “Bullied to Death” in April 2010. He spoke about the anonymity of cyberbullying. A copy of his book, Teen Cyberbullying Investigated, was given to each member of the audience with Dr. Phil’s exhortation to “Read it. It will close the gap between you and what your kids know that you don’t know.”

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 You and your Family 5

What does adoption mean? 6

What is foster care? How long does it last? 8

What happens to me if my parents get a divorce? 10

What is kidnapping? 12

If my parents get a divorce, will I still get to visit my grandparents? 14

Do my parents have to support me after they get divorced? 15

Can I "divorce" my parents? 17

Who has the right to discipline me? 18

Can my parents force me to follow their religion? 20

Do I need a guardian if my parents die? 21

Think About It, Talk About It 22

Chapter 2 You and School 23

Do I have to go to school? 24

How long do I have to stay in school? 27

What will happen to me if I ditch school? 28

Should I have to pass a civics test to graduate from high school? 29

Do I have to obey my teacher? 30

What if I damage school property? 32

Why can't I wear what I want to school? 33

Can my property be searched and seized? 36

Can I be served with a search warrant? 39

Can I be forced to take a drug test if I go out for sports? 39

Do I have complete freedom of expression in school? 41

Do I have to pray at school? 44

What is Title IX and how does it affect me? 45

What is affirmative action and how does it affect me? 46

I'm a student with a disability. What rights do I have? 47

Can I go to school if I have HIV or AIDS? 49

Think About It, Talk About It 50

Chapter 3 You and the Internet 51

Is the internet protected by the First Amendment? 52

What is cyberbullying? 52

Can I gel in trouble at school for what I write on my computer at home? 55

Can a teacher monitor my use of a school computer? 57

Can I go to jail for cyberbullying? 58

Will my posts on social media hurt me later on? 60

Can I be prosecuted for comments I make online? 62

Can I get in trouble for using my cell phone and the internet during test taking and paper writing? 64

Can a teacher take ray cell phone and read my messages? 64

Can I get into trouble for "sexting"? 66

Think About It, Talk About It 68

Chapter 4 You and your Job 71

How do labor laws affect me when I look for work and get a job? 71

What are my rights as a working teenager? 75

What if I'm sexually harassed at work? 77

What do I put on a job application if I'm asked about prior arrests? 78

If I work, will I be making minimum wage? 78

Do I have to pay income taxes? 79

Can I open my own bank account? 80

Can I start my own business? 82

Think About It, Talk About It 83

Chapter 5 You and your Body 84

Can I go to the doctor without my parents' permission? 84

Can I donate my blood and organs? 87

What can I do if I'm being abused or neglected? 88

Can I get birth control? 91

Can I get an abortion without telling my parents? 93

What is rape? 95

Do I lose any rights if I'm pregnant? 97

What if I'm depressed or thinking about suicide? 98

When can I get a tattoo? 102

How old do I have to be to smoke? 102

When can I have a beer? 105

What if I use or sell marijuana? 106

Think About It, Talk About It 110

Chapter 6 Growing Up 111

When will I be an adult? 112

What does emancipation mean? 112

Can I change my name? 114

When can I get-my own apartment? 116

Can I have a gun? 116

When can I vote? 119

Can I run for public office? 121

Will I get drafted? 121

When can I get married? 122

What rights do teen parents have? 124

Do traffic laws apply to me? 126

When can I drive the family car? 128

What happens if I talk on my phone or text while driving (TWD)? 129

What are the penalties for drinking and driving? 130

Do I have to wear a helmet when I ride a motorcycle? 132

What is joyriding? 134

Think About It, Talk About It 135

Chapter 7 You and other Important Rights 136

Can I sign a contract? 136

Can I get out of a contract? 137

Can I get a credit card? 139

What if I'm discriminated against based on my age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation? 140

What is sexual harassment? 142

What are my rights as a lesbian, gay bisexual, or transgender teenager? 144

What are my rights as an undocumented teen? 149

What is DACA and does it apply to me? 150

How late can I stay out? 151

What if I see someone abusing an animal? 152

Can I go across the border with my friends? 153

Can I get into trouble for swearing? 155

Can I get into trouble by using the telephone? 156

Can I buy and use fireworks? 157

Do I have a right to a clean environment? 158

Think About It, Talk About It 160

Chapter 8 Crimes and Punishments 162

What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor? 163

What is a juvenile delinquent? 164

Am I in trouble with the law if I disobey my parents? 166

What will happen to me if I get caught shoplifting? 167

Is it against the law to fight? 169

What is trespassing? 170

What if I start a fire that gets out of control? 171

What if I damage someone else's property? 172

Can I gamble? What if I win the lottery? 174

What if I use a fake ID? 175

Think About It, Talk About It 176

Chapter 9 You and the Legal System 177

What is a lawsuit? 178

Why are there so many different courts? 180

What is a jury? 181

Is every court decision final? 186

How should I dress for court? 188

What happens in juvenile court? 189

What does diversion mean? 191

What if I'm tried in adult court? 193

Can I be put in jail? 196

If I'm convicted of a sex crime, do I have to register as a sex offender? 197

Does the death penalty apply to me? 198

Can my juvenile record be destroyed? 199

Think About It, Talk About It 201

Appendix 203

Custody Factors 203

Compulsory School Attendance 205

Compulsory provision of Services for Special Education 206

Glossary 207

Selected Bibliography 215

Index 217

About the Author 227

Editorial Reviews

Children and teens, because of their dependent status, can find themselves struggling for meaning and straight answers to questions they might be afraid to ask, questions about circumstances that can affect them profoundly. Judge Tom Jacobs, from his research and deep experience in the juvenile and family court system, understands the questions and the concerns these youngsters live with. In his newly revised and updated book, What Are My Rights?Q&A About Teens & The Law, Judge Tom answers questions involving the law and relationships at home, at school, in the community, and in the vast reaches of the online world. His gift of plain and straight talk eliminates confusion and offers encouragement for responsible action, while his compassion for young people comes through on every page.

Dr. James Sutton

This year thousands of parents will receive a life-changing phone call after their teenage son or daughter is arrested. Will they need a lawyer, what will it cost, has their teen’s future just gone KAPUT? What Are My Rights? answers more than one hundred questions about the law in an easy-to-read, quick-to-search guide before mistakes are made. Every family needs this book. The future is in your hands. This is a great book!

Jon Davis Wiley

As a teen I found myself frequently testing the boundaries of my parents, my school administrators, and the law. Unfortunately, a resource such as What Are My Rights? was not available to me. After becoming a probation officer, I have found this book quite valuable in assisting with questions from my probationers that I would not have been able to answer adequately or accurately. Thank you, Judge Tom, for publishing such a great resource to a demographic that is often unaware or uninformed of their rights. This tool has been invaluable to a number of people, and continues to evolve as issues surrounding juveniles become more complex due to technology.

Michael Olson

As a teen I found myself frequently testing the boundaries of my parents, my school administrators, and the law. Unfortunately, a resource such as What Are My Rights? was not available to me. After becoming a probation officer, I have found this book quite valuable in assisting with questions from my probationers that I would not have been able to answer adequately or accurately. Thank you, Judge Tom, for publishing such a great resource to a demographic that is often unaware or uninformed of their rights. This tool has been invaluable to a number of people, and continues to evolve as issues surrounding juveniles become more complex due to technology.”—Michael Olson, probation officer, Flagstaff, Arizona

“Children and teens, because of their dependent status, can find themselves struggling for meaning and straight answers to questions they might be afraid to ask, questions about circumstances that can affect them profoundly. Judge Tom Jacobs, from his research and deep experience in the juvenile and family court system, understands the questions and the concerns these youngsters live with. In his newly revised and updated book, What Are My Rights? Q&A About Teens & The Law, Judge Tom answers questions involving the law and relationships at home, at school, in the community, and in the vast reaches of the online world. His gift of plain and straight talk eliminates confusion and offers encouragement for responsible action, while his compassion for young people comes through on every page.”—Dr. James Sutton, psychologist and author of The Changing Behavior Book: A Fresh Approach to the Difficult Child

“This year thousands of parents will receive a life-changing phone call after their teenage son or daughter is arrested. Will they need a lawyer, what will it cost, has their teen’s future just gone KAPUT? What Are My Rights? answers more than one hundred questions about the law in an easy-to-read, quick-to-search guide before mistakes are made. Every family needs this book. The future is in your hands. This is a great book!”—Jon Davis Wiley, retired senior probation officer, Phoenix, Arizona

From the Publisher