Delinquent Teens

Teen Sims who are caught at school or at home will have options open to them. School may be lenient and only require a warning or extra homework, or an in-school suspension or detention. In some cases, they may expel the student. In cases where the infraction is more serious, schools may be required to report the incident to law enforcement. 

At home, parents have new socials in which to discuss their children's behavior, kick them out, argue with them, express compassion, or listen to their problems. Parents can also discipline their children for misbehaving and rule breaking if Parenthood is installed. There's a slim chance that parents/guardians might turn their teens in depending on the offense, the parent's reaction to the behavior, and their relationship.

If, however, law enforcement catches the teen they can issue a warning or for more serious offenses, take a Sim into custody to be processed/booked or issue a summons for a hearing. For some Sims, after being taken into custody they will be released to their parents/guardians but depending on the crime and previous misbehavior they may be required to remain in police custody until their hearing.

Hearings take place at 9am on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. A hearing will be need to take place to determine sim's fate. The teen can either go with a public defender or hire a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer can help sway the outcome versus a public defender.

After the hearing, the disposition/ruling will be determined. Teens can either be found not delinquent (not guilty), delinquent (guilty), or have the ruling delayed while they complete terms of the court. If the teen is found delinquent, they can be sentenced to community service, fines, parole, delay or revocation of driver's license, a juvenile correctional center, and/or court-ordered programs. A teen will then have a juvenile record. Repeat infractions will influence the outcome of their consequences.

Having a record can affect if a Sim gets scholarships or university offers, driver's license possession, school enrollment, and more. Depending on if it's a first offense or a lesser crime, some Sims may have their case dismissed or only get warnings on a criminal record or have their final ruling delayed while completing court-ordered community service with the chance of dismissal.

If your Sim is found guilty and issued anything other than a warning, they will have to complete court-ordered conditions to satisfy their debt to society. Each court-ordered condition has a time limit and must be completed within that time frame. Not completing within the time frame can result in penalties including probation, community service, or juvenile hall, but usually just a fine. Possible Conditions include: Fine, Restitution, Community Service, Driver's Safety Course, Anger/Behavioral Management Class, Alcohol Education Class, Counseling, Confiscation of Driver's License, or Probation which can include a Curfew, a School Grade condition, Drug Testing, and Substance Abuse Treatment. The option to complete the court ordered conditions is available on the phone under the general pie menu.

Once a teen ages up to a young adult, depending on the seriousness of the crime, a teen can petition to have their record expunged. For minor offenses, juvenile records are automatically expunged and will not follow them into adulthood. If the record is sealed, it will still be available to law enforcement should the Sim be caught in another crime, but it will not keep the newly young adult from getting jobs, going to university, etc. This will be integrated with Lumpinou's Law and Disorder mod as it develops.  Note: Sims in juvenile hall do not age for the length of their time on the inside.