On the surface, my 18 year old son appears to be doing quite well. Lately, things have been very calm around here, he's working out, he helps around the house, and he's hanging around different kids. Having said that, I know he's back to smoking pot and drinking, but we haven't seen him (as far as we can tell) under the influence. Every time he walks through our door he seems fine. I'm not saying he is, if he's using, but time will tell.

Anyway, a few months ago he made a weekend 4 hour drive trip with his friends to one of the popular colleges many of the kids around here attend. We warned him that if he found himself in trouble - it's on him. So, yesterday we receive a notice in the mail from the department of motor vehicles indicating that there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest and that he cannot be issued a driver's permit until this is cleared up. The address of the court is near the college.

My husband immediately called my son on his cell asking him what had happened. He said that he was cited for an open container and that was it. We looked it up on line and sure enough! Our son then said he told the officer that he couldn't appear in court because he lives so far away, and the officer told him that all he had to do was pay the fine. Well, he said the officer never wrote down what the fine was and therefore thought the officer was giving him a break and issued him a warning. I believe him because that's the way he is with us. He only "hears" body language and tone of voice.

Whatever the case, it surprised me that the officer only charged him with open container when our son was obviously underage. My son told me that he was very respectful and honest with the officer which is why he received the lesser charge. I asked him if there was anyone else with him that had a beer in hand and he said no. He was the only one.

What happened to the law is the law? What kind of message is this sending? My son obviously wasn't drunk or out of control, but still? Since he seems to be doing very well right now, so I won't question it with the court. If he were out of control here, at home, then maybe I'd have a bigger issue with it.

I guess I can understand why he received the lesser charge because, otherwise, he'd receive the same consequences as another who may have been drunk. I don't know it just surprised me. As plain as day his birthdate is on the on-line court order with the charge of open container.

Curious, what your thoughts are on this?