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March 30, 2010
Shelmi Liang
New adults are greeted with new rights, but also new responsibilities. A 17-year-old shoplifter might be lectured and driven home in a police car for a first offense. But 18-year-old’s face arrest and possible jail time. The juvenile justice system, which puts greater focus on rehabilitation, only handles cases for minors. Instead, you will face adult penalties.
Once legal, an individual can smoke, vote, get married, drive without restriction, adopt children, sign legal documents, stay out late, go to most clubs and join the military without parental consent.
Can parents still dictate their children’s actions and decisions? Legally, no. Morally, yes. New adults may have to respect their parents’ or guardian’s rules if they are still dependent. However, guardians no longer have legal responsibility for the welfare of an 18-year-old.
Turning 18 does not exclude a student from school rules. Administrators can search an individual’s locker, backpack or car without a search warrant as long as they have a legitimate reason. For some schools, an 18-year-old can sign themselves out of class. In 1998 and 1999, WHS students abused this privilege by forging doctor’s appointments and not coming back to class. Washington no longer acknowledges this privilege.
“One student had 93 off grounds passes, which was excessive,” attendance clerk Nancee Reck said.
This effect resulted in negative consequences. In that year, the school lost ADA (Average Daily Attendance). The school does a monthly count of the number of periods students attend. The state then sends money to the school depending on the number count.
Adulthood is exciting with all the freedom. But it also comes with responsibilities.
This article originally appeared in print on March 30, 2010. It has been modified to correct style and grammatical errors.
