So I am now 14, becoming 15 in July.

I’ve decided that I have hit the prime point in my life where no matter what my actions or social skills may be like, the first time an adult I don’t know lays eyes on me, he/she anticipates something dangerous or something involving breaking the law.

No matter what any soul says, teenagers are looked upon by adults as destructive, corrupt, worthless or least of all, spoiled.

Let’s face it, when you see a group of two or more teenagers, you immediately develop the mindset that they are up to no good and at any given moment they will pounce on you like John McEnroe on a tennis official when he doesn’t get his way.

The idea of writing this month’s column on the subject of teenagers was first hatched in my mind last Saturday, the last weekend before summer was officially here, when I was riding in a golf cart with my two close buddies down a bike trail in Orange Beach.

Although common sense told us not to drive a golf cart where other people were biking, seeing as the golf cart didn’t go over 10 mph we decided there was no harm in a quick joyride.

But I do own up to the fact that it was wrong to be on the trail in the first place, and it was not smart to be around pedestrians while we were on a motorized vehicle, even if it was not speedy.

While riding along the trail we saw two of our friends from school and kiddingly bellowed out at them when driving by (an act that would unfortunately hurt us later that day). 

After five minutes of riding around the bike trail we had just turned around to leave the trail when an Orange Beach Police vehicle caught our eye.

The police officer got out of his car and began accusing us of screaming profanity at a local who apparently reported us.

After harsh interrogation attempting to force us to admit to what we had not done we were taken to the police department.

In disbelief, we sat around his desk and in horror watched him call our parents.

Words cannot explain my state of shock and distress  during the miserable and extremely unnecessary event of that day; where three straight-A students who had never gotten in trouble with the law before that day were accused of doing something they obviously did not, and would not do.

I admit to poor judgment — an impulsive act on our part — but aren’t we innocent until proven guilty?

I think it was at that moment that I realized how so many adults must feel about teenagers, and the automatic assumption that anyone between the ages of 13 and 19 is a potential juvenile delinquent.

After my incident, I began to feel limited in where I could have fun with my friends without causing alarm.

There really isn’t a specific place you can visit with a group of teenagers while appearing harmless and friendly. You’re viewed as a hazard to society; a teen with raging hormones and bad judgment unless your hair is clean cut and out of your eyes and your shirt is neatly pressed.

But what adults have to remember is that although teenagers may seem as though they are emotionless, destructive beings, they are really lost in a period of their lives where they are trying to discover who they truly are and how they should act.

What I’m getting at is, when you see a group of any kind of people, regardless of  age, race, or culture, try not to categorize them; expect the best and not the worst. You may be surprised that they didn’t mug you, and they politely waved and smiled as you passed by them.

Look for the good, and give them the benefit of the doubt rather than drowning them in guilt and blame. Just remember that not all snakes are poisonous, not all snowbirds are cheap, and not all teenagers are up to no good. Let us be innocent until proven guilty!

Basch Jernigan will be a sophomore at Gulf Shores High School next year. He welcomes all questions, comments and opinions. He can be reached at basch@gulftel.com.