Should I have him get his permit so he has something for the court to asses the points against? What else should he prepare for?

My 16 year old son took his car out for a drive, without my knowledge or permission. He doesn’t have a license or even a learner’s permit. He was pulled over because of the placement of the temp tags. He was issued a ticket/summons for the tag and for driving without a license. Unbelievably, the officer did not detain him, contact me or even have him park the car, but let him drive off. Consequently my son doesn’t believe it’s a big deal. I’m thinking differently. I intend to go with him to court and make him plead guilty, because he is! The ticket says 3 points will be asessed against his license, but he hasn’t got one.

Traffic Richard Simon’s Answer

This may cost you more than your son. With points added to his record, especially driving without a license, it may cost you a fortune when you add him to your insurance. So you should hire a traffic attorney to make sure the ticket his amended. The emphasis I see in your question is making sure your son learns that this is important. Tell your traffic attorney that you want this lesson taught. How can you go about this? A few ideas:
1. make your son pay for the cost of the attorney, fines court costs, etc.(if he does not have a job make him work for you or get a job.)
2. Talk to your attorney about how you want to teach him a lesson, your attorney may know of creative ideas to scare him(Example: telling him the full range of penalties that could happen including jail time, not being able to get his license for a time period, future suspension for possible points etc.)
3. The attorney may be able to get the amendment but instead of asking for normal costs go for community service.
4. The attorney may speak with the prosecutor and judge and have them scare him.
I have seen and heard of many judges, prosecutors, etc using these tactics to get a child clued into the fact that breaking the law is serious matter.
Ultimately though, the attorney will represent your son and not you in these matters. I have had to tell many parents that though they paid for my services, their son is my client and I represent his interests exclusively and he must sigh a waiver allowing me to communicate their matters with them. You have many options and I applaud you as a parent.