Being 17 years old, if I run away and am not found until I am 18, will I have legal trouble?
By Darren Chaker, Computer Search & Seizure writes on record sealing, computer forensics, and First Amendment issues.First and foremost, it’s important to know if being a runaway is in fact an offense in your state. Not all states make it a status offense (an offense based only on age). For an index see Status offenses specified in statute, 2013.Second, if it is a status offense, then by virtue of turning 18, then I do not believe juvenile law would apply to you. However, in this instance you indicate you are on juvenile probation or otherwise court ordered to be where you are. Consequently, the juvenile court could bring you back for violating probation when arrested. Also, you could catch a new charge for leaving a court ordered placement - escape. You need not bust through jail bars, evade a watch tower, and scale a few barbed wire fences to get charged with escape. It is as simple as walking away out the front door of a place the judge ordered to be.Third, although you may be out of under age woods once you turn 18, the person who would have been harboring you may not. For example, if someone knew you were underage, allowed you to live with them, or helped conceal you from parents or police - then there are likely laws on the books where the adult could be prosecuted.Fourth, presume you runaway - think to yourself - “Yay I am free - now what?” Have money? Transportation? Where will you eat? Where will you sleep? How will you keep a decent style for the next month, next year? If you do not have the answers, then don’t put yourself in a position to be hungry, sleeping on the streets, and life only gets darker. Think of immediate short term and long term objectives before devising a spontaneous plan which will inevitably put you at risk.Last, on a side note - sometimes life sucks. I know from experience when busted by the FBI for a financial crime a couple of years ago. I went to federal camp for 9 months and moved on. Don’t make it worse by defying the court and wondering if every time you see a cop car if you will be stopped. Also, having a warrant would have a natural consequence on making it through life - getting a driver license (National Driver License Registry) can be blocked, being hired for a job, going to college, and the list goes on. Tough out the last few months and move on.
New Mexico runaway laws! For 16 and 17 year olds?
So I have read some things about running away in New Mexico being legal but, If you are found, you can be brought back home. Is this true? Also, how long will the police look for you? since the act isn't illegal. If you are 16 or 17 in New Mexico and you runaway, what basically will do police do? Have your name in the system and if your found.. your found? and brought back home? If I could get legit answers, I would appreciate it. I am just curious.
How Long Do Police Look For Runaways?
Maybe, if your family insists. If you are a confirmed run-a-way, they usually don't...you made your choice. They have too many truly missing persons to look for. if you make a stupid decision, it is your problem. This causes families no end of pain, but there simply are not enough police to look for all the runaways.
Questions About A 16 Year Old Running Away To A Different State?
Hello! I love writing and I'm currently writing a realistic book on a teenager running away! To make it as realistic as possible, I have some legal questions! 1. How long does a parent have to wait until they can call the police about a child running away? 2. Is it harder to find the child if they go to a different state, and keep travelling (Doesn't stay in one spot longer then a week)? 3. Is it harder to find the child if they change their physical appearance (Dying hair)? 4. How long do police search for the child before giving up? And what are other things a child can do to prevent being caught/found? In my book, a young girl named Martha is sick of her parents constant mental abuse. She's more mature than most her age, but can't file for emancipation since she isn't in much danger at home (Though she feels like it). So, she feels like running away is just something she has to do. She wants to start somewhere new. So, as I previously said, I'd like to make this book as realistic as possible and I want to make sure there isn't any possible way she could get caught. If it makes a difference, she lives in Utah but plans to go to Wyoming, and then other states, until she's 18, or they stop looking for her?
What happens to a 16 year old run away in Illinois if they get caught?
First, understand one thing, you are a minor until age 18 in all 50 states, OR yuou are emancipated by the courts. YOU are NOT responsible, your parents are responsible FOR you. There is no law against "running away". You are free to leave. However, there are restrictions since your parents are responsioble FOR you, so they report you as a run away. At which point, the court issues a bench warrant which the police will use to detain you IF they even find you, and then return you to the custody of your parents. If you commit a crime, you are STILL responsible for THAT and will end up in court, most likely a juvenile court, but there is nothing against you for simply running away. The warrant only is there to provide a legal basis for the police to detain you pending return. This is all provided your parents report you as missing. If your parents do nothing, it should be obvious that as long as you do not get picked up for some other reason, no one is actually out looking for you. If you are picked up, THEN it is your parents who get involved with possible court action for failing to report you as missing. Law differes from state to state regarding how much involvement the parents have to have if they do not report you as missing and you get in trouble with the law for other reasons. The end result is: if reported as missing, a bench warrant is issued and the cops look for you as they do with any criminal. They will pick you up and detain you pending return to your parents, IF they find you. The bench warrant expires on your 18th birthday when you are no longer a minor as a matter of law. If not reported as missing, nothing happens UNLESS you get in trouble with the law, and THEN your parents get involved on your behalf as being responsible for you.