Is it illegal?

[ccsmod3]

Re: Is it illegal?

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Switchboard. We are not legal experts; however, we can answer your questions as best we can in general terms. Running away is usually considered a status offense meaning you aren’t able to leave home simply because you haven’t reached the age of majority (which is 18 in most states.) If a minor does leave home without permission, the parent(s)/guardian(s) have the option to file a runaway report which would place the minor in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Although police do not always actively look for runaway youth, they may come across them for something such as breaking curfew or a minor traffic violation. The laws associated with running away typically fall on the adult who is helping. To our knowledge, harboring a runaway (providing a place to stay), crossing state lines, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor are misdemeanors in most states. If the adult in question has any previous criminal history, then the charges may be more severe.

We are not here to tell you what to do, but we are here to listen, provide support, and discuss options. We can be reached directly by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and also through our Live Chat 4:30 -10 CST. If you are interested in chatting with us, simply click on the red “Live Chat” button on our homepage. We hope you and your boyfriend remain safe and we wish you the best of luck!

-NRS

Is running away and crossing state lines illegal? What can they do if we run away? We being me and my boyfriend. We are 16.