Cell phone feuds common in juvenile court

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Molly Bolek, an assistant Highland County prosecutor, addresses Hillsboro Rotarians on Tuesday at the Ponderosa Banquet Center in Hillsboro.

Of all the issues that come up in juvenile court, disagreements between parents and children over cell phones are quite common, said a county prosecutor who handles most juvenile cases.

Molly Bolek, assistant prosecutor in Highland County, told Hillsboro Rotarians on Tuesday that one of the most frequent reminders juveniles receive in court is, “There is not a constitutional right to have a cell phone.”

Bolek said one case involved a child who ordered a parent to move out of the house but continue paying for the cell phone. The parent did so, and then had to fight to return home.

Bolek, who has been with the prosecutor’s office since 2011, said that despite a common belief, the vast majority of juvenile cases are held in open court. She said cases range from delinquency to assault, criminal damaging, and shoplifting. She said typical shoplifting cases involve makeup, teeth whiteners and clothing.

Bolek said drug cases are not uncommon, and sometimes the court discovers that “juveniles are being used to deliver drugs.” She said there are 12 juvenile sex offenders in Highland County.

The meeting was held at the Ponderosa Banquet Center in Hillsboro.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @abernathygary.

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