Can I move out 2 months before I turn 18?

Hi I’m 17 right now and I turn 18 in one month it’s February 11 soo I’m almost there will I get arrested if I do move out I just can’t handle my house any more and my mom don’t let me work I don’t know what to do anymore

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like things at home have been pretty difficult. We are not legal experts but we do have general knowledge of the laws. Because you are still 17 you are still considered a minor, if you leave the home without permission your parents still have the right to file a runaway report. Running away is not a criminal offense, it is a status offense. What that means is that if you were to runaway the police would most likely bring you back home. In most cases we have seen with youth being so close to 18 the police may not take a runaway report, it depends on the police department though. You can always call your local non-emergency police department and ask them anomalously how they would handle a runaway report for someone who turns 18 in 2 months.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to talk more about what is going on please give us a call, we are here 24/7. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

I turn 18 in 2 moths and I was wondering if I would get in trouble with the police if I were to leave. They know some of the situation at my house cause this wouldn’t be the first time I’ve left but I just didn’t know if they would just keep bringing me back or eventually just let me be.

[ccsmod0]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. First off we want to say that abuse whether its physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, it is never okay and you do not deserve it and do have the right to report it. We want you to know that you do have the right to make a report with Child Protective Services which it sounds like you have done before. Child Help USA is an information and referral line that can connect you with your local CPS abuse hotline. That number is 1-800-422-4453. If you ever felt like making another report, we are here to assist with that. Please also note that there is no maximum amount of reports that you are allowed to make. We understand that making an abuse report can be intimidating so if you like we can call together to provide support. You and your unborn child deserve to live in a safe space.
It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws. While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions. However because you are so close to 18 some police might not even file a runaway report and can go about your business. They might do what’s called a safety check and make sure you are safe but nothing else. It might be a good idea to reach out to the local non-emergency number again to make sure if it is okay.
Additionally, if you’re feeling unsafe and need a safe place to go and talk to someone, you may wish to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need of a safe place to stay.

You also may use your phone to text the word “safe” and your current location (city/state/zip) to 69866. If there are safe places and shelters nearby, a list of those will be sent to your phone and you may have the option to text back and forth with a trained counselor as well.

Be safe,
NRS

I am thirteen weeks pregnant and will be 18 on the beginning of March. I have a job, enrolled in school, and have my license. My parents are trying to completely take over my pregnancy and won’t give me a say so I’m even finding out the gender. They don’t want me to list my boyfriend as the father it’s give the baby his last name even though I want to. Anytime I mention him I get degraded and so does he. My dad is always calling me any kind of name whenever he says mad and has grabbed me by my throat twice. The cops and DHS have been called but nothing happens. My house is always full of anger or drama and I don’t think it’s a good environment for me or the baby. I live in Arkansas, if I move out will I be forced home? When he kicked me out a month or two ago I was forced back home.

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions. However because you are so close to 18 some police might not even file a runaway report and can go about your business. They might do what’s called a safety check and make sure you are safe but nothing else. It might be a good idea to reach out to the local non-emergency number again to make sure if it is okay.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

Hello
im 17 years old i turn 18 exactly in 8 weeks I live in Salt Lake City Utah I have been trying to get help to leave my house, but now I’m 17 and turning 18 in 8 weeks will I get in trouble ? I mean my mom does drugs she isn’t a very good person she doesn’t let me go anywhere I’m like in a cage I just want to leave and be free, can you tell me my legal rights

[ccsmod9]

Thanks for reaching out to NRS. We can understand that you are going through a rough time and it can be rather stressful. Please know that our goal is to provide you with the resources and tools necessary in order to help you make the decision that is best for you. From what we gather about your situation it seems like you are trying to get your Xbox One S back. We unfortunately are not legal experts so we cannot speak on what seems a serious legal matter. Please know if might be best to reach out to the local non emergency number or a legal aid to help answer those questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

I have a question me and my sister own a piece of property, we share it and I wanted to take it when I move out in a couple of months. I don't want my parents calling the cops and me getting charged with theft. It's an Xbox One s console and I don't think it's a big deal but I don't want any trouble with the law or anything.

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

I'm 17 and I turn 18 in march, can I legally move out now? My mom is never home so I always take care of myself anyway.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like your being put down at home and you are wanting to leave 2 weeks before your birthday. That seems really hard to deal with, and it's understandable that you are wanting out of that environment. You deserve to be treated with respect.

We are not legal experts but we can speak generally about runaway laws. If you leave home with 2 weeks until you turn 18 it is up to your local police with whether or not they would consider you an adult early or not. It is possibly that they would not take a runaway report for you and consider you a legal adult, but it is also possible that they could follow the law to a T and take a runaway report for you and take you home if found. The best way to know how your local police would respond is to talk to a local officer. You might reach out to your local non-emergency police number or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY if you would like assistance calling out to them.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat us if you would like ot talk through your situation.

We are here to listen, here to help.

Best,

NRS

I am two weeks from my 18th birthday and my parents, well step mom, more is trying to control my life and downgrade me everyday. My dad is a drug addict and my step mom babys his addition by giving him he checks.. They have a daughter together that I want to get custody of when Im stable enough. Can I move out now if I have a place to live?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,

Thank you so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we know it can sometimes be difficult to reach out and we are glad you took the first steps in doing so. Running away is not a criminal offense, it is a status offense. What that means is that you would not go to jail for running away the police would most likely bring you home. But because you are 17 in most cases we have seen the police do not pursue runaway reports for youth that are 17. In your case it may be better to wait a month, because the closer you are to being 18 the less likely the police would do anything about the report. We are not legal experts, so it may be a good idea to also ask your local police department. If you would like to talk more about your situation feel free to call us at any time. We wish you the best of luck in your situation.

NRS

If your almost 18 in a month and they report you as a runaway can you get in trouble