What are the laws about running away in North Dakota?

[Guest]

What are the laws about running away in North Dakota, and what are the consequences?
Are the charges dropped when you turn 18, or can you be charged and sent to jail?
What laws can protect you from this?

[ccsmod4]

Re: What are the laws about running away in North Dakota?

Hi,
thanks for posting us at NRS we appreciate you taking the time.
We are not experts in the law as it pertains to running away or any other juvenile offenses so the answers we may provide should only be looked at as a generalization of what the law interpets.
Runaway laws once reported may vary from state to state. Running away is often considered a status offense which means it does not become part of your permanent juvenile or adult record however that can differ if a warrant is issued by the police at the request of your parents or court order.
Are you on probation or under any court supervision? A violation of such could bring about
a different set of consequences like juvenile detention. It might be a good idea to know what consequences exist if you are thinking of running away and are under court supervision or probation.
What is your situation? Is running away the only option you have explored? It is our mission to help keep runaways and at risk youth safe and off the streets. Have you thought about how you will survive if you were to runaway? In other words do you have a plan? We would welcome the opportunity to listen and speak with you further about whatever your situation might be and to also discuss some possible options with you. Please call us at our 24hr 1-800-runaway hotline number we are waiting to take your call. once again we thank you for contacting us we certainly understand your concern and need for information on this matter and hope things go well for you.

Take Care,
NRS

[Guest]

What if I wanted to run away at 18? Like a month after my birthday? Or what about a day after my birthday? Would I get thrown in Jail or something of the sort?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: What if I wanted to run away at 18?

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. Since you are 20 and considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone.
Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as a emergency shelter where young adults can stay temporarily and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can.
Take care,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

i am 17 my mother told me to leave so i left now she wants to call the cops on me and make me come home do i have to go home or will i get in trouble if i dont

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at NRS. This sounds like a really stressful spot to be in, and it's understandable you might not want to return home. While we are not legal experts we can speak generally on this.

Unfortunately your mother can still report you as a runaway to the police even though she initially asked you to leave. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. You will not get into any legal trouble for this. This basically means your mother can ask police to return you home if she knows where you are staying. In most cases, the consequences for running away come from parents more so than police. Ultimately you will know better than anyone what is best for you and your well being.

We are available 24/7 to listen and support you during this challenging situation. Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat if you would like to talk more.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello, I live in ************. I’m trying to move out at 17. I live in a abusive and toxic household that I’m trying to get away from. I’m trying to move in with a friend that is 18 and I turn 18 in 5 months. I have a lot of money saved up so I have a good source of money. I was wondering if it would cause any harm to run away and live with my friend. We originally planned on moving in together in September on my birthday but my abusive household is getting worse. I don’t feel safe anymore and I don’t want to cause any troubles for my siblings and mother.

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us at National Runaway Safeline, we know it can be difficult to reach out sometimes. Legally to move out before 18 would usually call for an emancipation, where you become legally independent by a courts ruling. In this case, our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It sounds like you have that part down, although they will usually require you to currently have a job. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18 so it’s good that you have a friend who you know you might be able to live with. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. We don’t normally recommend this route if you are close to being 18, considering you might turn 18 before the process is complete. Still you are welcome to explore this option with us. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process.

If you were to run while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth. If you have any more questions or want to talk in detail about any of this, please reach out through chat or call. We hope this helps!

Stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

So I am 17, and want to run away to the home of a friend who has made it clear she would be willing to take me in, in North Dakota. If my mother did call the cops on me for running away, am I under any legal obligation to return or could I simply refuse? She absolutely would not give me permission to move out on my own, and I have a job and good grades. The person I want to live with also has a good record, and would probably help me pack and move my essentials during a time when I am home alone.

[ccsmod0]

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. You can refuse, but there is no guarantee the police will not return you home, as your parents have custody of you until you turn 18. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. This might be something to discuss with your friend before staying with them. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.
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 would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
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