On Your Own; Your Legal Right @ Eighteen On Your Own formatted final version | Page 33

money or the posting of property as security, your signature on an
unsecured bail bond, and/or your compliance with certain conditions such
as remaining in the state, reporting to a probation officer, or refraining
from seeing or associating with certain individuals.
If you believe that you did not commit the offense that you are charged
with, you may plead not guilty. You can go to trial and have a free lawyer
represent you to explain that you are innocent of that offense. At trial, a
jury of your peers will evaluate the evidence to determine whether it is
“beyond a reasonable doubt” that you committed the charged offense. If
the jury finds that you committed the offense and that you are guilty, the
judge will decide your sentence.
You may also choose to plead guilty, which means admitting that you
committed the offense you have been charged with. If you decide to plead
guilty, the prosecuting attorney may agree to drop certain charges or to
recommend a particular sentence to the court in exchange for a guilty
plea. This is known as “plea bargaining.” Before the court will accept your
plea of guilty, you should be informed of the consequences of your plea
(possible punishment) and of the fact that you waive certain rights (such
as the right against self-incrimination and the right to a jury trial) if the
judge accepts your guilty plea. If you do not understand any part of the
plea agreement, you should ask the court to explain it to you before
accepting the deal.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Alcohol
It is illegal in Vermont to possess or consume alcoholic beverages if you
are under 21, or to misrepresent your age in order to get them. Breaking
these laws result in civil penalties, including having to complete a
substance abuse program.
It is also illegal to provide alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21. An
adult who does so can go to jail. Anyone can also be sued for medical costs
or damage to property resulting from intoxication. Even if your parents did
not provide the alcohol or drugs, they could still be liable for damages
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