It’s actually much easier to break the law than you think. If you’re a driver, can you really say with full confidence that you have never exceeded the speed limit? Can you be sure that you never made an error in judgment when you were younger?
It’s difficult for a fully grown adult to understand the law comprehensively, let alone a teenager.
How can peer pressure influence younger people? Should a mistake of the past really be held against a person forever?
Teenagers are still developing
Teens like to think of themselves as fully grown adults who are ready for anything. This is not usually the case in terms of both social development and cognitive development. Teens are particularly susceptible to external influences and influences that are closer to home.
Friend groups can play a vital role in the development of a teenage child. A friend group can put positive peer pressure on a child. For example, being around a group who are determined to pass their exams could inspire the child to put the same effort in as their friends. At the same time, this can work in a negative way. If all the individuals in a friend group are taking illicit substances and engaging in criminal conduct, it’s actually very difficult for someone to walk away from this.
A teenager who goes against the grain risks isolating themselves and having to start again. Humans are very reluctant to isolate themselves once they have found a group that provides a sense of purpose and belonging, even if this identity and purpose are viewed as negative by others.
If you made a mistake as a child or were pressured into doing something that you didn’t understand was unlawful, then you shouldn’t be punished forever. Everyone deserves a second chance and seeking some legal guidance could help you to get your criminal record expunged.