HOUSTON -- Across the country, there has been a flood of criminal cases against kids getting caught in pranks that rise to the level of criminal charges. And, the greater Houston area has seen its share of cases, too.
For example, this week in Sugar Land, three Clements High School students accused of breaking into a school were charged with felonies. One student’s attorney said it was a senior prank, and that they had planned to chain desks to lockers.
In the Spring Independent School District, another student pulled a false fire alarm and wound up with a mug shot and a felony charge.
In 2007, surveillance cameras caught vandals unwinding fire hoses at Forest Brook High. The water was turned on and flowed all night, submerging parts of the school.
If anyone knows about consequences, it's Demond Demouchet. He was a high school senior when he lost his baseball scholarship and spent nearly a year in jail and never went back to school. Gary Miller, of the Miller Law Group, prosecuted the case.
“It did turn out to be a multi-million-dollar, first-degree felony,” said Miller, a defense attorney and a former Harris County prosecutor.
Pranks that may seem fun can have serious consequences and lead to criminal records for life.
“When you engage in adult activity you can be certified,” said KHOU 11 News Legal analyst Gerald Treece. “These kids that are 16 or 17 can be certified as adults.”
With summer coming and budget cuts around the state, kids will have more time on their hands, but fewer things to do. In Houston, several pools will be closed and programs like soccer, flag football and basketball will be cut.
Finding positive activities for kids to do can help fill their time constructively. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department has a list of summer programs still available for kids.
Miller said kids should learn from the mistakes of others.
“They will not hesitate to charge you,” Miller warned about authorities. “And the results can be devastating. The plans that you might have for going to college in the fall might all be gone.”
