Charlottesville Criminal Defense Attorney for University Students.
YOU’VE GOT MAIL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA POLICE!
Who’s afraid of an email or a text message? Especially one so cheery as this:
Hi Bobby,
My name is Suzie Q , and I work for the University Police Department. I tried calling you but got your voice mail. I know you might be worried but I want you to rest easy this is no big deal and you are not in trouble. I just need a couple of minutes of your time. Please call me at 123-456-7890 at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,
Suzie
You should be. Many police are learning these days to subscribe to the “Mo Flies” school of thought – you catch “mo flies” with honey, so put away the jackboots, and just get out your smart phone! What could be more friendly and hip? Kids are hardwired to respond to their email, and if you were really in any trouble, they wouldn’t send you something like this, would they? Oh, yes, they would. This is pretty much exactly what they would send you.
This message is a lie. The kid who gets a text like this is definitely “in trouble”, and it is a “big deal”. He or she might be facing a felony criminal charge for drugs, rape, or something else that could destroy their future and even land them in prison. That’s in addition to an honor, judiciary, sexual misconduct or other University disciplinary action. But, hey, it’s all sweetness and light until they show up and the “interview” begins.
Be smart. Tell your kids to be good, to stay out of trouble, to be honest and faithful and work hard. But tell them, too, that when Officer Friendly emails them an invitation like this, that’s one party they do not want to attend. Lawyer Up.
Andre Hakes Criminal Defense Attorney Tucker Griffin Barnes Charlottesville, VA 434-973-7474 www.TGBLaw.com
