Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 mnths from being 18?

[Guest]

Can I be charged with runaway at 17 and im 5 months away from being 18??
Or will the police not even look for me if my mom says Im in a different state way away from the state im currently in? I'd still be in my schooling and stuff but I just need to know if they will do anything because Im only 5 months away from being 18?

[ccsmod1]

Re: Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 mnths from being 18?

Thanks for contacting us at the National Runaway Switchboard. It sounds like you’re concerned about some of the legal issues surrounding if you leave without your mom’s permission. First, we aren’t legal experts here so we can’t give you definite answers. Also, the laws do vary from state to state and county to county, and in many areas the law is unclear. In most states, up until you turn the age of 18 your legal guardian can still file you as a runaway and you can still be returned home if you’re picked up by the police. Then there are some states where at 17 your mom would still be able to file the runaway report, but the police wouldn’t necessarily make you go home. And in fewer states/counties, at 17 you can legally leave your house and you’re not considered to runaway. With that said, in most areas they don’t “charge” youth with being runaways. It’s usually considered a status offense, which means you’re not allowed to do it because you’re underage. The consequences for running away are usually that the police return you back to your legal guardian. Occasionally, youth will have to go to juvenile detention for 24 or 48 hours (especially if the youth is from out-of-state), but very rarely can you get sent to detention just for running away. Now if a youth is on probation before running or participates in illegal activity while on the run, there could be more consequences.

To answer your question about whether the police would even look for you in a different state, it depends. Most police departments don’t actively search for runaways anyways, but if for some reason you’re picked up the police could definitely run your name and see you’re a runaway. Also, if someone (i.e. your mom) asks the police in the other state to check a certain location for you, they may be willing to do it. It really all depends on the police department and how involved they want to get.

Obviously this may or may not help you since the laws are so unclear and there are so many variables. We just aren't able to give you definite answers to such questions. If you’d like to talk more about the situation we’re available 24/7. Our number 1-800-RUNAWAY is completely confidential and anonymous. We would be able to look into legal resources for you or even call the local police and ask what their procedure is (we wouldn’t need to tell them who you are). Feel free to call anytime day or night. Best of luck.

[Guest]

Re: Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 mnths from being 18?

so does that mean that if you run out of state you will probablly be sent to juvie? and does time away affect that too?

[ccsmod4]

Re: Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 mnths from being 18?

Hi,
and thanks for contacting us again.
As we stated in our last communication it is possible you could be detained in a juvenile facility if while being a runaway the police pick you up out of state. As for what effect the amount of time you've been gone has on your being detained we're really not in a legal position to give you that information.
Please feel free to call our 1-800-runaway 24hr hotline for any further information concerning your situation.

Thanks,
N.R.S.

[Unregistered]

Is it right if I run away because of these reasons?

Is it right if I run away for these reasons? I am 17 and only 6-ish months away from being 18.
The reasons I want to run away:

1) I have to watch a 17year old that lies and steals

2) I have to deal with people yelling for stupid reasons

3) Constant name calling

4) I'm always stuck home ninety percent of the time and can't*socialize with people even if they are at my front gate, I'm always stuck at home, with the parents, in a van, with family, or in a yard

5) Parents can hardly afford anything, can't really pay for bills

6) They complain that no ones helping to pay the bills but we get yelled at for filling out job applications

7) They hardly have money but let another person live in the house

I get yelled at for not exercising but I also get yelled at for asking to go for a run/jog

9) Constant b****ing and complaining every day

10) Other people can complain and have attitudes and take it out on others but I can't

11) No freedom from the house, I'm always stuck home helping and doing what I'm asked of but never really allowed out

12) Can't freely express my own opinion

13) Can't have a respectable two sided grown up conversation with my parents

14) They are always complaining because something wasn't done right or we/I forgot something

15) They complain that they dont have the money to get somethings like new shoes and clothes but they can buy themselves junk food and they can go to the bar

16) Get threatened to be kicked out/taken away, mostly happens when I express my own opinion or when there is a small conflict about something

17) I don't get any attention endless I'm needed to do something for them


** *I know parents are trying to be parents and try to do what's best for there child. They are doing there "best" but I can't stand the b***ing and complaining all the time. I'm trying to help my parents but even if I try to help they yell and scream. One day there was a little conflict (fight) because I wouldn't talk to my stepmom, I didn't talk to her because she was saying ignorant s**t about my closest friend so the best thing I did that wasn't screaming and yelling was to ignore her for a little but than we had a "talk" because I was forced to and I got yelled at in my face (not even an inch between her face and mine) and was threatened to be taken away/kicked out and it was more of a one sided conversation. The constant name calling is ridiculous because when ever the parents aren't in a good mood (everyday) they start calling people names like ********tard, asshole, bastered, etc.! They hardly have money because my dads disability check goes to bills and my step moms work check goes to bills and food and other things but why go out and buy junk food when you know your child needs new shoes or clothes? I have no freedom from the house, I have no problem helping out but I stopped helping because I asked if I could go out or even go to a friend birthday party and I was told no every time and now I don't help and I got told if I wasn't to go out I need to help. So I said I do help a lot and I got told if I help even more I can go out, which I know is a lie. One day I wanted to hang out with a friend to go jogging and so I asked my parents if I could go for a jog and I didn't get an answer until about an hour and a half later, the answer was no and so I asked why and they said I don't know and I kept asking why which made me mad so I decided to go out front and I got yelled at, I went into the house and got yelled at as well than i came outside mad because I wasn't allowed to do anything and so I said I'm going and my stepmom said I'll call the cops if you step out the gate (which I didn't step out and the police weren't called), needless to say it didn't end well. About the being kicked out or the taken away thing is that that I've been told that I will be kicked out, the only reason I understand why they'll kick me out is because I back talk. I've grown up around my parents a lot and was never allowed out when I was little. I got told they they'll have me taken away if I argue back with them and they mainly say that after they get right into my face or if they know I'm right. With more about the name calling, well my dad and stepmom as you know like calling us derogatory names and all well since they do it a lot my brothers kid called me a pussy. I walked down stairs and he said pop pop said your a pussy, then he said pop pop the pussy came down stairs. Well that did piss me off but I ignored it, my dad said I didn't call you that. Well I'll believe a 4year old over a person in there forties. To be honest*I can only deal with so much and lately it's been worse and I can't stand it anymore. I'm done!

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling your story. It sounds like you are going through a very difficult situation right now and it was very brave of you to contact us about it. You asked if you could leave home if for the right reasons but unfortunately, we aren’t legally trained so we wouldn’t be able to give you a specific answer but we can try to help you find resources that may be able to help you out.

We are sorry to hear about everything that is going on and how you are treated by your family. Nobody deserves to be called names or yelled at and we are sorry to hear about that. It also sounds like you have tried to come up with ways to remove yourself from the situation when it starts to happen but you aren’t allowed to use those. We are also sorry to hear that your parents don’t provide you with basic necessities like shoes and clothes when you need them but buy junk food. It sounds like that is very frustrating for you. Have you told anyone else, like a teacher or school counselor, about what is going on?

Again, we aren’t legally trained here so we wouldn’t be able to tell you what would happen if you were to leave but we can give you some general ideas. It is our understanding that until a youth turns 18, they are still considered a minor and their parents/legal guardians are responsible for them. Therefore, if you leave home before turning 18, your parents may have the option of filing a runaway report with the police. Now, running away is considered to be a status offense; a status offense is something you can’t do when you are still considered a minor. So, if your parents were to file a report, the police may or may not actively look for you but if they locate you, they may either take you home or take you to the police department and contact your parents. But, some police won’t take a report when a youth is close to turning 18 so you may be able to call the police and talk with them about what they would do.

If you were to leave home, do you know where you may go or how you might survive? Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we have a database of resources such as shelters that you may be able to go to. We are completely confidential and anonymous so we wouldn’t tell anyone that we had talked with you. Please call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and we can try to help you find a safe place to go. We also have a list of questions and other things to consider before leaving home that you may want to take a look at (http://www.1800runaway.org/youth/nrs_can_help/).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

~NRS

[Unregistered]

Can I runaway at 17?

I am 16 years old living in Missouri, female. In March, my parents are sending me to live with my aunt in Kansas. In July, I turn 17 years old. When I turn 17, can I legally leave Kansas and go back to Missouri to live with my fiance? I don't want to live with my aunt and uncle, because my cousins have told me that he is abusive verbally and sometimes physically. My parents don't take my worries into consideration, though, and have set plans with my aunt to move me there in March. I'm a sophmore in High School and I really want to live in Missouri with my fiance, find a job, and continue schooling and eventually go to college. Moving to Kansas will complicate things. My parents have given up on me being able to stay at home with them, I don't know why. When I turn 17, can I leave without being a runaway and without anybody being charged for kidnapping or harboring?

[ccsmod2]

If you have contacted NRS today through another means (for example, live chat, email or bulletin) for the same issue, it would be helpful to let us know that you have already contacted us. NRS understands it takes courage to reach out for help; therefore, we would like to minimize the need for you to repeat your situation and avoid offering you duplicate services.

[Unregistered]

I'm 17 with a 1 year old son an things at my mother's have went from uncomfortable to total chaos my mother has decided to send me to Philly with my grandmother but I have a safe place to go I turn 18 n june I just want to know once I become 18 will I have any penalties for running away?

[ccsmod1]

RE: Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 months from being 18?

Hello,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you are in a tough situation at home. We are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. It sounds like your mom is sending you and your son to live with your grandmother. You should know that when you turn 18, you will be considered a legal adult and you can choose where you live. If you were to leave before you turn 18, you might be considered a runaway. This means your mom could call the cops and make you come home. That might put you and your son in a difficult situation. Once you turn 18, there are no penalties. If you have any more questions, you can always call us 24/7 to talk about your options. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

[Unregistered]

I'm 17 with a 1 year old son an things at my mother's have went from uncomfortable to total chaos my mother has decided to send me to Philly with my grandmother but I have a safe place to go I turn 18 n june I just want to know once I become 18 will I have any penalties for running away?

[ccsmod4]

Can I b charged with runaway at 17 5 mnths from being 18?

Hi,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

To our general knowledge in most states 18yrs of age is considered the age of majority.
Meaning a person 18yrs of age is considered an adult thus the police would not consider them a runaway.

It might be helpful to hear more about your situation.
If you would like to discuss your situation at length please call our 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) 24hr crisis line.
We would be happy to assist you with any information or referrals in regards to your situation.
You can also visit www.1800Runaway.org for our NRS live chat sessions available from 4:30pm until 11:30pm 7 days a week.

Thanks again for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

[Unregistered]

Can I run away without any consequences?

I'm 17 and 3months from being 18. Can I run away without any consequences

[ccsmod4]

Can I run away without any consequences?

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate your question however we are not legal experts.
You might consider contacting the non- emergency number of your local police department to see if they might take a runaway report from your parents or guardians. In some situations where someone is close to turning eighteen it is up to the discretion of the police offer to file or not file a report.

NRS offers conference calling where we can contact the police on your behalf and ask questions you might want to have legal answers to. This is done all the while you are on the line listening in.
This can be done during normal business hours.
Does that make sense?

Contact NRS by calling our 2rhr crisis line 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or visit www.1800Runaway.org (live Chat).

We hope we were able to help tonight.

Take Care,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 17 and in 6 months will be 18, i live with my mom and her and my dad share custody of me, and my mom is my legal guardian. My step dad is very mean and verbally abusive, he calls me names and tells me im not good enough for anything and im only living there because my mom wants me to. If i run away to my actual dads house will he be charged with anything and will i be returned to my mothers house? I really want out to this situtation and my dad is there for me with any decisiono i make, but i dont want to get him in trouble. Yet at the same time i cant take my step dad anymore.

[ccsmod5]

Hey,
Thanks for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It’s terrible that your stepfather says those things to you. It’s cruel and unnecessary—bottom line, you never deserve to be treated that way! It sounds like your parents have joint custody of you and you want to live with your dad. We’re not legal experts, but from our experience the police tend not to intervene in custody issues so it’s unlikely that you would be charged with anything for leaving. Usually it comes down to paperwork. If your mom has sole custody of you and has a court order proving that, then the police will enforce that court order. If your parents have joint custody and there is no court order explicitly saying where you should live, the police usually will not intervene. However, you might want to get in touch with a lawyer to double check. In any case, running away is not a crime and it’s unlikely that you or your father would run into any trouble.
Thank you again for reaching out. We hope this was helpful and we encourage you to reach out by phone if you need additional resources or need help figuring out your options. Our number is 1-800-786-2929 and our lines are always open. If you have a moment, we'd appreciate your feedback of our crisis services at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

Stay safe!