Child endangerment vs. Snitch

[bjobjs]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I have a co-worker who had the police called on her the other night for an argument she and her husband were having. When the police showed up the husband mentioned methamphetamines so the police asked if there was anything in the home. My co-worker said a smashed pipe.

To make a long story short the police ended up asking her to become a C.I. or they would arrest her and her husband for child endagerment and put her children in the system, ages 14 & 12.

She has no prior record and there is no previous C.P.S. matters.

Without all the accusations of being a bad person for using, etc. etc. She is worried about her family if she becomes a snitch.

Can the police do this to her children without any actual proof or come back on her for something else?

Please only advise on this if you know what you are talking about. She don't need any sarcasm or ridicule. She got enough of that from me.

 

[CdwJava]

She can say no and let the chips fall where they may.

Before she agrees to become an informant, she should probably consult with an attorney as she might want some protections in place. However, the police have up to a year to revive any misdemeanor case, and if she was using meth. in a home with children she could be charged in CA with child endangerment. If she does not cooperate, she may have to facge the legal repercussions of her drug use.

If she IS using, those kids need to be taken. Period.

- Carl

 

[bjobjs]

My co-worker said that the police took no evidence and she only uses at work. The police told her to throw away the smashed pipe, the only evidence. A report was only filed on the domestic squabble.

Where abouts does she stand? She really doesn't want to become a snitch. She fears for her family?

 

[ReformedMan]

If she has already admitted to the officers that she had a smashed up pipe, it is safe to assume that they could still file a report to that effect and initiate charges. Carl's advice to have her speak to a lawyer before doing anything is still the best information you can get here.

 

[CdwJava]

My co-worker said that the police took no evidence and she only uses at work.

At work?!? Where does she work where they give the employees meth breaks?!

For one, I don't know that I would believe that (most users are not so disciplined). And, two, she's still a danger if she's getting ripped at work.

The police told her to throw away the smashed pipe, the only evidence. A report was only filed on the domestic squabble.

That does not mean it won't reappear. and, in all honesty, she doesn't know WHAT they wrote.

Where abouts does she stand? She really doesn't want to become a snitch. She fears for her family?

Then she can tell them "no". What the police might do is anyone's guess. If it were me, I would have already sent the CPS referral in ... but, that's me.

- Carl