Dad is livid over pot fine
Dear Amy: My daughter is 19. Her boyfriend is 18.
Over the summer, they were busted for smoking marijuana in her car.
The officer gave them the option of letting just one of them take the fall.
My daughter volunteered; I considered this a very bad decision. If this gets on her record she will lose her financial aid, and college will be, if not impossible, very hard. Her boyfriend comes from a rich family.
Regardless, she said that she would take the citation and he would pay the fine. Well, the case was plea bargained down to a lower offense, but it comes with probation and $700 in costs and attorney’s fees. Her boyfriend has paid her $200. She says she is fine with that.
I am NOT fine with that. He’s well-off. She is broke and is working while going to a local college. He’s off at a university, and I think she’s worried that if she makes a big deal about this, he’ll reconsider the relationship. But, Amy, if she gets busted anytime in the next three years, her education is in jeopardy.
I’m thinking about sending him a text saying that he has two weeks to pay up, or I’ll tell his parents the story.
Is this too petty? Is this my business at all? She is an adult, but she’s still my daughter, and I think she’s being taken advantage of. Angry and Befuddled Dad
Dear Angry: Your daughter “took the fall” for smoking marijuana in her car.
She was smoking. In her car. She got caught.
Your daughter’s own actions have jeopardized her financial and educational future, and she has accepted the consequences.
The way for her not to further jeopardize her future is to not get busted again. She should check to see if her record will be expunged after her probationary period is over.
Yes, if you want to end this relationship between your daughter and Richie Rich, then definitely send him a threatening text. Understand, however, that this will undermine your daughter’s own (so far) adult-like acceptance of her legal and financial penalty. She would also be rightfully very upset with you.
No, this is not your business, unless you are paying your daughter’s bills — and it doesn’t sound as if you are.
You should always encourage her to stand up for herself, including when someone owes her money.
Dear Amy: I read your column addressing the call for civility, politeness and respect in the midst of a climate of vitriol and hatred. I am pleased to share that our organization, Operation Respect (operationrespect.org) could be the movement you are looking for. From our curricula in schools to onsite dialogue summits where those of strongly held opposing views learn to respectfully share, exchange and express their differences maturely and purposefully, we’re amplifying civility in all the proper channels. John A. McKenna, executive director, Operation Respect
Dear John: Operation Respect was founded by singer Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary), and does extensive “peace work” in schools.
Quoting here from a letter by Yarrow on your organization’s website: “let’s stop focusing on the battle that’s raging and live the legacy of goodness in our hearts for ourselves, and for our children’s sake, and the sake of our future.”