Rights
I can win the lottery!
Yes! You can purchase a lottery ticket and claim the winnings once you turn 18!
But the chances you'll win are super low..
Who gets to make decisions about my education?
Like dropping out of school, going to college, IEP decisions..
YOU DO once you turn 18! In fact, your parents are not even legally allowed to look at your grades or sign your IEP paperwork without your permission.
What year was someone born who turns 18 in 2026?
2008!
If I get arrested, I will get charged as...
An ADULT! No easy ride for juvenile offences.
Can I buy tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and chew when I turn 18?
Yes, you can, but should you? No. Absolutely not.
True or False: I can get as many credit cards as I want and buy whatever they'll let me buy!
True; you can open credit cards in your name. But before you do, it is important to understand how credit cards work, what INTEREST CHARGES are, and know that you are responsible for paying everything back!
Credit Cards and contracts: who is responsible if I don't pay them back?
YOU ARE!
The most popular singer in 2008 ended up crashing his reputation in 2009 by beating up his girlfriend.
Chris Brown
If I get arrested, will my record be wiped clean when I turn 21?
Heck NO! Once you turn 18, your conviction will be on your record forever.
Some juvenile convictions also stay with you, but many of those do get erased...
Can I drink caffeinated drinks like Red Bull when I'm 18?
Yup.. you make your own decisions!
But if you still live at home, you gotta follow your parent's rules. Sorry.
I will get drafted into the Army as soon as I turn 18.
No, but you can join the Army if you want (joining the Army is called "enlisting")
I will get drafted in the Army as soon as I turn 18.
Nope, but all males need to REGISTER for Selective Service when they are 18. If they do not register, they will not be able to get things like loans from a bank (to buy a car, maybe) or financial aid for college.
The most popular movie in 2008.
The Dark Night, starring Heath Ledger as the Joker.
I won't get in trouble if I have a beer or wine.
Oh yes you will! You cannot drink alcohol until you are 21 years old!
I can hold a crazy party with lots of people in my house and there's nothing my parents can do about it!
No! It's their house!
I can move out of my parents house and live on my own!
Yes, and they legally can't stop you. But make sure you can afford an apartment and to feed yourself!
I have to sit on a jury in court.
Yes, but only if you get "summoned" to do it. Then you have to wait and see if they need you that day. If they do, then you get to sit on the jury! If not, then you get to not worry about getting called again for 18 months.
The price of a school lunch in Elk Grove in 2008 was...
$2.25! If your family didn't pay, then you didn't eat!
My mom can sign papers for me like buying a car or getting a job.
Nope. Your signature is your legal agreement to do something.
As soon as I turn 18 I am going to go hit the clubs and party and dance and shake my groove thing all night long!
That's fine, so long as they are 18 and up clubs. Otherwise, clubs that serve alcohol are for 21 years and older!
I can celebrate my 18th birthday by marrying the girl of my dreams!
actually true.. yes you can and no one can stop you. Once you are 18 (and your partner is 18!) you can legally get married!
Taxes? Do I have to pay taxes?
Yes, you do! Once you are 18 you are responsible for filing tax returns every year, especially if you earn any money from a job!
I could surf the internet and text my friends with my smartphone.
maybe? The first smartphone, Apple's iPhone 2G was introduced on June 29, 2007!
I can date whomever I want, no matter how old they are!
Absolutely not! Once you are 18, you may not have physical relations with anyone under 18. That is a crime and can result in life-long penalties.
*This includes sending pictures and texting!!!
The first thing I do when I turn 18 is to run out and get my face all tatted up like Post Malone and Lil Wayne!
unfortunately, yes... you can do that once you turn 18. But don't. Please, don't.