AITA for pressing charges?

Imagine waking up to a birthday surprise—not the fun kind with balloons and cake, but the kind where your shiny new car looks like it lost a fight with a grocery store prank aisle. One Redditor stumbled into this nightmare when their 18-year-old cousin turned a “no” into a full-on vandalism spree. Eggs, toilet paper, and a family feud later, this tale’s got more twists than a teen drama—complete with legal charges and a whole lot of finger-pointing.

Our story kicks off with a freshly leased Ford Escape, a disappointed birthday girl, and a cousin who’s not about to play chauffeur. When the Redditor denied a joyride request, the fallout was epic—think baked egg yolk and TP streamers ruining a pristine paint job. Security footage caught the culprit red-handed, and now the family’s in chaos. Was pressing charges too harsh, or just desserts? Buckle up for the full scoop below!

‘AITA for pressing charges?’

This Redditor’s wild ride deserves a front-row seat—check it out!

Nothing says “family bonding” like a good old-fashioned car-egging, right? This Redditor’s cousin took entitlement to a new level, turning a birthday letdown into a driveway disaster. The Redditor’s stance? My car, my rules—and now, my lawsuit. The cousin’s parents cry “she’s just a kid,” but with a DUI already on her rap sheet, this 18-year-old’s not exactly a rookie in the consequences game. Let’s peel back the layers.

The Redditor’s in a tough spot. Saying “no” to a car loan shouldn’t mean scrubbing egg off your hood—especially on a lease that’s barely broken in. The cousin’s tantrum reeks of entitlement, and her “you made me do it” defense is flimsier than wet TP. But the family’s plea for leniency tugs at the heartstrings—nobody wants a felony haunting their “baby cousin.” Still, chores as payback? That’s not fixing a paint job; that’s sweeping the issue under the rug.

This mess mirrors a broader trend. A 2022 National Institute of Justice report notes juvenile property crimes often spike with parental enabling—think kids who’ve never heard “no” sticking around. Here, the aunt and uncle’s refusal to pony up for damages screams coddling. Psychologist Dr. Wendy Walsh weighs in: “Boundaries are critical for young adults; without them, accountability falters” (source). The cousin’s prior DUI and zero remorse suggest she’s missed that memo—big time.

So, was pressing charges overkill? Not really. The Redditor’s protecting their turf, and legal consequences might be the wake-up call this teen needs. That said, a pre-charge family powwow could’ve softened the blow—though with this crew, good luck getting a dime. A compromise like restitution over jail time might balance justice and mercy. Readers, what’s your call? Is this tough love or a family feud gone too far?

See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit’s dishing out takes hotter than a summer egg bake—dive in! [comment block] Are these comments pure gold or just online popcorn chatter?

From a birthday bust to a legal dust-up, this Redditor’s tale is a cautionary carwash nightmare. Was pressing charges a fair flex against a reckless cousin, or did they oversteer into family drama? How would you handle a teen tornado with no regrets? Hit the comments with your hot takes—we’re all ears!