Forms and Letters: Family Law

questions & answers

Question: If i have a letter from a high authority stating that i can chew tobacco under age, can i get in trouble

Answer: There is no one who has the ability to excuse you from following the law.  In some cases, individuals convicted of crimes may receive official pardons from politicians with incredible amounts of power.  The Arizona Constitution gives the governor the power to pardon crimes with the exception of treason and impeachment.  However, no one may outright excuse you from following the law.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 13-3622 (B & C):
B. A minor who buys, or has in his possession or knowingly accepts or receives from any person, a tobacco product, a vapor product or any instrument or paraphernalia that is solely designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco or shisha, including a hookah or waterpipe, is guilty of a petty offense, and if the offense involves any instrument or paraphernalia that is solely designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco or shisha, shall pay a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or perform not less than thirty hours of community restitution.
C. A minor who misrepresents the minor's age to any person by means of a written instrument of identification with the intent to induce the person to sell, give or furnish a tobacco product, a vapor product or any instrument or paraphernalia that is solely designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco or shisha, including a hookah or waterpipe, in violation of subsection A or B of this section is guilty of a petty offense and, notwithstanding section 13-802, shall pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

For the full text of the law, visit: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/03622.htm