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Posted on May 12, 2025 in Juvenile Crimes
While the purchase and use of things like cigarettes, nicotine products, and drugs is illegal for 13-year-olds, purchasing or possessing a lighter is not. If your 13-year-old is facing criminal charges related to purchasing a lighter, they need aggressive representation from a Phoenix juvenile crimes lawyer.
Lighters can serve many innocuous purposes. However, they can be misused by 13-year-olds and other teenagers. Because lighters are often linked to activities, like smoking or drug use, many people are understandably cautious about allowing young children or teenagers to purchase them.
No federal or state laws require an individual to be a certain age to purchase a lighter. After all, fire is meant to be a tool and is not inherently problematic. However, concerns begin when we consider the consequences of more nefarious or negligent use, such as drug abuse or arson.
Lighters are often associated with the use of illegal drugs. This includes some of the most abused drugs by Arizona teens, such as marijuana and more serious opioids like heroin. While purchasing a lighter is legal, drug possession is among the crimes that can send a minor to juvenile hall.
Federal law restricts the sale of tobacco products, vapor products, beedies, bidis, shisha, and tobacco instruments or paraphernalia to anyone under the age of 21.
While a lighter itself is not illegal, police may try to use it as an indicator that your teen is engaging in other illegal or risky activity. More than half of all arson arrests are juveniles. Whether the intention was to cause harm or your child simply made a poor decision, your child may face criminal charges if they set a fire that caused damage, injury, or death.
First, it is vital to note that the police may not search your child or arrest them simply on the grounds of purchasing a lighter. It is a legal activity and does not provide probable cause to detain or arrest your child.
However, if your child is facing charges related to the purchase or possession of a lighter, they are likely related to drug possession, vandalism, or arson, and these can have significant legal consequences, even for 13-year-olds. Following any concerns about accusations of illegal activity or interactions with police, it should always be a high priority to contact or speak with an attorney.
Many parents think that they are entitled to be present or notified before police question their child, but this is not the case. If the police bring charges against your minor for statements they made during discussions with police officers you did not authorize, their statements may be inadmissible in some circumstances.
For more information, contact the juvenile crimes attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.
