17 Y/O run away rights in Arizona

[sirnomnomz]

Hey, I've heard multiple things about runaway laws in Arizona.

One of them is that if you're 17 1/2 (which I am) you can leave your parents home, and local law enforcement won't force you to go home unless you are in danger or causing harm / general ruckus.

But I've also heard that no matter what local law enforcement will take you back home.

I live in Tucson Arizona if city law matters at all. But can someone please clarify this.

[ccsmod14]

Re: 17 Y/O run away rights in Arizona

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re glad that you found our bulletin board and were able to ask for help.

We’re not legal experts here unfortunately, so we cannot say what would or would not happen in your area. Generally speaking, if you were to leave before the age of 18 without permission from legal guardians, they would have the right to make a runaway report. If a report is made, and the police find you they would just bring you back home. However, anyone that you stay with could potentially be charged for harboring. The way that the police handle things do differ by state, county and even by the police department themselves. One option you have is to contact your local law enforcement to hear first-hand how they may handle it, and what their protocol is. Another option you have is to contact legal resources, and we have provided a few below that may be of use to you:

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. at (520) 623 9465
University of Arizona College of Law Legal Clinic (520) 621 1975

Another option we’d like to make you aware of is conference calling with youth. Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we offer conference calling to agencies such as police departments. If this is something you would like us to do, or if you would like us to make a call out on your behalf to find out some information, we can do this if you call us at 1800runaway. We’re here 24/7.

Best of luck to you and stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

If someone were charged with SUPPOSED assault charges while being a runaway and they stayed missing tell the age of 18 would the charges go away and would they be able to start there life. Like get a job and not have to worry about anything?

[ccsmod15]

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS and sharing what’s going on with you.

Although NRS is not a legal agency, we would generally say that assault charges are still a crime and would not go away when the person turns 18. We would encourage you to reach out to legal aid for more specific advice and assistance. One such resource could be the Legal Services Corporation at lsc.gov.

If you would like to share more, please feel free to call our 24 hour hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or use our Live Chat.
We hope this information was helpful and take care.
National Runaway Safeline
[email protected] (Crisis Email)
1-800-RUNAWAY (24 Hour Hotline)

[Guest]

I want to runaway, but I’m scared for the consequences, you’re saying that if I stay with anyone, and I get caught with them they would get charged with harboring? Is that if my parents say they want to charge the person? Do you know how I could get emancipated?

[ccsmod2]

Hi. Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. These are all great questions and it’s great that you are thinking about how certain situations could potentially play out. Harboring charges can vary from state to state however, it is possible that your parents can sue someone for harboring or that the police can also charge someone with harboring a runaway or contributing to the delinquency of a minor. However, in most cases harboring charges are usually unlikely but if enforced can result in a misdemeanor charge. Emancipation can also vary from state to state however based on our records it appears that in Arizona a minor may file a petition for emancipation order with the clerk of court of their county but must be at least 16 years old, a resident of the state, financially stable, etc. If you would like to learn more about emancipation in Arizona you can contact the Southern Arizona Legal Aid at 520-316-8076 or please feel free to give us a call at 1800-runaway or come chat with us at 1800runaway.org. All the best, NRS.
(15:00) 203: Hi. Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. These are all great questions and it’s great that you are thinking about how certain situations could potentially play out. Harboring charges can vary from state to state however, it is possible that your parents can sue someone for harboring or that the police can also charge someone with harboring a runaway or contributing to the delinquency of a minor. However, in most cases harboring charges are usually unlikely but if enforced can result in a misdemeanor charge. Emancipation can also vary from state to state however based on our records it appears that in Arizona a minor may file a petition for emancipation order with the clerk of court of their county but must be at least 16 years old, a resident of the state, financially stable, etc. If you would like to learn more about emancipation in Arizona you can contact the Southern Arizona Legal Aid at 520-316-8076 or please feel free to give us a call at 1800-runaway or come chat with us at 1800runaway.org. All the best, NRS

[Guest]

I'm 17 years old and I turn 18 in November on the 16th. My mother has threatened to Kick me out twice, I left the last time and she threatened to call the cops so I came back home. Now today I've gotten into it with her & I'm at my limit. She's a very negative, verbally abusive, and degrading mother. I told her I'm leaving and she said that she's going to call the police. Can the police bring me back home ? Where I want to leave to will her mother get in trouble for letting me stay there ?

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. These are great questions and it is really responsible of you to want more information before making big decisions. You do not deserve to live with someone who is degrading and verbally abusive. Being talked down to like that is not okay and it should not be happening at home. Because you are under the age of 18, your mom can file a runaway report if you leave. Running away is not a crime, but it means police might return you home. From what we know harboring charges for the person who is helping you are rare, but it is possible for them to have some legal consequences. Because you would be going somewhere safe and your mom has threatened to kick you out in the past, there is a chance that police would not force you to go back home. The police department for your county will have more specific information about their runaway and harboring protocol. You can call their non-emergency number to ask questions anonymously. You do not have to give any personal information even if they ask for it. We can also call on your behalf if you call our hotline (1-800-786-2929) or use our online chat resources. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or concerns. We are here 24/7 to help.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

My 15 year old son wants to run away. What can I legally do to prevent this from happening? If I can't do anything, and I call law enforcement when he does do this what happens next? I am afraid he will get into trouble out in the streets because he is very naive and he doesn't understand the dangers and consequences of his action; has been diagnosed with autism. The first place he would probably go would be my mom's apartment. She is an elderly woman who is very ill and doesn't speak English. She does know anything about Arizona laws, thus wouldn't understand that if my son goes to her place she could be charged with harboring a runaway. I don't know what to do.

[ccsmod15]

Hello! Thank you so much for reaching out.

You mentioned that your son wants to run away, and you fear that he might go to you mom’s house, possibly her facing charges for harboring a runaway. With that being said, it speaks of high volume that you’re trying to seek help on what to do in this difficult situation. We’re not legal experts, but if your son does decide to run away, you can contact the authorities, and file a runaway report. Ultimately whoever he ends up staying with may face some charges, so it is important to let the authorities know if you have a clue where he might be staying with. Along those same lines, you can let you’re your mom know a heads up if you think your son might be headed her way to contact you as soon as possible.

Another option to explore would be to have an open communication with your child’s school. If your child does not show up to school, you can have them contact you as soon as possible so you can take precautionary measures. You May also consider sitting down with your son along with a school counselor, and going into depth about why they want to run away. If you need parental support, you may reach out to TEAM H.O.P.E at 1866) 305-4673 for parental empowerment.

We hope the information provided helps. Remember we are available 24/7 and can be toll-free reached at the number listed above. We are confidential, anonymous, and non-direct. We can also be reached via live chat between 4:30pm and 11:30pm CST

[Guest]

i am a runway at 17 they cant force you to go home if your not in danger

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Our understanding of laws around a minor leaving home is that your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18, so they can decide where you live. If you do choose to leave without permission, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means that if your parents know where you are staying then they can have the police return you home. From what we know, this is not always the case as there is not a universal way that police will handle runaway cases. Some police departments are more lenient with young people who leave home at 17 and do not force them to return to a guardian, and sometimes police will not take a report at all for a 17 year old. The best way to check the policy for any area is to call the non-emergency number for the local police department to ask more specifically about their runaway protocol.

Thank you for your response to another user’s post. Often forums are a place of support and understanding for many youth. It often may be validating and helpful for users to read similar situations as well as exchange feedback to one another. For anyone experiencing any difficulties or challenges, the National Runaway Safeline encourages youth to reach out to our 24/7 crisis support line either by phone or chat for immediate services.

[Guest]

I'm 17 years old, turning 18 in august. My parents don't care that ran away from home. They haven't called the cops or anything. But is there any sort of benefits or resources i can get, even medical wise. My parents want nothing to do with me so i have no way of getting my prescription if i need or getting a permit and other things. What can I do?

[ccsmod4]

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. You might consider contacting NRS and we can assist you with exploring services in your area.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 17 almost 18 and im just sick of living with my mom, I want to runaway but im not even from Arizona so i don't know where to go or what to do also can i join the army when im 18 if im considered a runaway

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you’re going through a tough time at home and want to explore your options. We’re here to listen and help the best way we can.
You mentioned you are thinking of running away. If you are living in Arizona, the age of majority is 18. So if you leave home without your parent’s permission, your mom can file a runaway report with the police. You can’t get arrested for running away, but the police most likely will take you back to your mom’s if they find you unless there is evidence of abuse. Maybe there might be a friend or family member that your mom agree to let you stay with. If you decide that running away is your best option, it’s best to have a plan. Things like where would you stay, how you would get food, and how would you keep yourself safe might be some of the things to think about when planning.
You also mentioned joining the army. We can’t answer your questions about the army, but someone at your local recruiting office should be able to give you the information you need. They would also be able to tell you the requirements
There might be other options available to you depending on your situation. If you want to explore what those options, you can reach out to us on out chat line www.1800RUNAWAY.org or by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We hope you hear from you!
Good luck and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 17 years old about to be 18 in 3 months. Can they do anything if I run away still?

[ccsmod15]

Hey, thanks for reaching out to us. Eighteen years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that 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
(though in your case you would most likely turn 18 before a harboring case would go to court, so it's possible it would be thrown out). One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding youth that run away at 17.

We hope this information helps. If you'd like to talk more about your situation you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us via the chat button found at the top of www.1800runaway.org. We are here to listen and help in whatever way we can!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

My boyfriend is 17 in Arizona. His physical and mentally abusive father kicked him out twice in 3 days. He left because he thought he was kicked out, but the police returned him home. It is not unlikely that his father lied to the police about many things. Now my boyfriend is back home, but I know his dad intends to socially isolate him. He cut off internet access, most likely won't let him leave, and has starved him in the past so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't eat today.
What do I do?

[ccsmod15]

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 your boyfriend is faced with right now and you’re wanting to find a way to help them as they mentioned going through physical and emotional abuse. It’s great that your boyfriend has your support and concern from you especially since this time is quite difficult for them.
You mentioned some things that raise concern for their safety and well-being. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, they have the right to report it. We are not experts on the issue, but generally once it's been reported, social services will either decide whether or not to take the case and further investigate. If they do take the case, they will send out someone from child protective services to do an investigation (interviewing people in the household) and from there they will decide the level of danger within the household. It generally ranges from no danger (the youth stays in the home, some services are given, and the case is closed), moderate danger (they will provide family services with possible temporary displacement) and high danger (they will remove the youth from the home and offer certain services).
If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.
Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. 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).
We’re here to listen and to help and hope you or your friend can reach out soon.
Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

im 17 years old and im going thru rough times i can't get medical attention or anything until im 18 because my guardian won't follow thru with anything I've been kicked out and then threatened to call the police if i didn't return i want to leave but i have no job housing anything if i choose to leave can police force me to go back home

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us. We are so sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time with your guardian. It sounds like your guardian has made it very difficult for you to secure care for yourself, and you have questions about what might happen if you leave. Although we are not legal experts, we can share general information that may be able to help.

First, please know that you have the right to contact your local child protective services agency to report your guardian If you feel that your guardian is neglecting your health. If you do not know how to reach them, organizations like Child Help can help you identify the agency nearest you. They can be reached at: 1-800-422-4453, for text and call services, and www.childhelp.org for live chat. If you have questions about what the process may look like, would like help calling to make a report, or even if you’d like someone to talk to, you can reach out to us. We are here for you.

If you decide to leave and you are a minor in your state, your guardian has the right to report you as a runaway to your local police department. From what we understand, although it is not illegal to run away, it is considered a status offense in some states. Typically, if a report is made and local police find you, they return you to your legal guardian or have your guardian pick you up. Your local police department’s non-emergency number is the best place to call if you’d like specifics on how your local police department handles runaway reports. If you decide to leave and you need a safe place to stay, please give us a call. We will do our best to identify shelters in your area that may be able to take you in.

Whatever you do, please know that we are here for you. We cannot tell you what to do, but we will do our best to help you stay safe regardless of what you decide. We are here to listen, here to help. Stay safe!

-NRS

[Guest]

My daughter is 15 and goes and comes as she please, since I no longer share custody. I'm sure this was going on behind my back on my no n visitation days.
I consulted with behavioral healthcare but she refused to go. She's missing online school and she is on drugs and alcohol, with a abuse issue. No one in Arizona will help. Called the police, but they did nothing. And the state has no forms to have children turned over to the hospital.

They just wait until CPS, gets involved thus causing the parent to have a CPS case. There is no solution. I feel hopeless. I want know real number of organizations that can help. Also , a parent harboring my 15 year old daughter took her to get a tattoo, buys her and other teenagers drugs and alcohol, and let's them get involved with sexual acts at her house ( 6580 west Puget, Glendale, AZ).

The police won't do anything because the lady is privilege. When I showed up at her door the last time , she stood at the door and said " what do you want", " why are you here?:, as if she wasn't harboring my child for days. Now if I were to shot her I would be wrong.

There is NO help for teenagers in Arizona. Only if you " get in trouble ", for not being a good parent or your to blame in a negative way.

I have been seeking help for 2 years now and it appears that the teenagers in Arizona have the same rights as adults, and adults who harbor child in Arizona have no consequences.

The only way to get help for a runaway in the state of Arizona , is to be deemed as an " unfit parent ", and here comes help to the rescue !!


What a joke. And fyi, no I'm not planning on hurting myself or anyone else, I'm just giving an example.

Please send real organizations that don't involve days of intakes, (that children won't be around for, BECAUSE THEY'RE RUNAWAYS), that will physical get involved ( pick minors up and group home or rehab them), and actually care.

Maybe the Government in Arizona need to come up with some reform for the youth. I will never give up on my child, but she will cause me problems with the school, and other things. and there is no LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO PROTECT MYSELF, in the state of Arizona.

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We are sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time right now, and seems no one has been able to help.

One option to consider would be to call your local court house or police department and ask if they have a MINS/CHINs program. This means a minor in need of supervision, and the program is usually ran through the juvenile court system. The program helps at risk youth and youth who are constantly running away or not following any rules.

Another resource that may be helpful to you is called National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which they may provide additional help and resources for you. They can be reached at 1800-843-5678. We would be able to offer you additional resources if you call us because we would be able to give you direct resources in your city.

We wish you the best of luck in your situation, we are available to you 24/7. Please feel free to give us a call or chat with us at any time. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

Hi i want to leave my dad’s house and go live with my mom. I am 17 and my dad has full custody. When they fought i was 16 and they didn’t ask me who i wanted to live with. I’m tired of my dad’s mental abuse and would like to just leave and go live with my mom. Can he force me to go back? Even if i’m almost 18?

[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 while living with your dad. You do not deserve to be mentally abused. 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 dad 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.
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. Your mom could look into trying to obtain custody of you again so that you would legally be able to live with her rather than your dad.
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

[Guest]

Hi, I'm a 17 year old female. Can I runaway from my parent's house if they emotionally and verbally abuse me. Even due to them always thinking they are right and I ended up in the hospital. As they had disregarded my symptoms and them already "knowing "what I had. Due to their abuse, I had started to self harm. Can I leave and not have police officers looking for me?

[ccsmod15]

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.



We're sorry you're going through this. You mentioned experiencing emotional and verbal abuse which may be reportable against your parents. Please keep in mind you by no means deserve any type of abuse, emotional or otherwise.  Unfortunately, emotional and verbal abuse are often harder to provide evidence for compared to physical abuse which is often what CPS relies on when conducting an abuse investigation. That said, we can’t be 100% sure what the outcome will be if your local CPS decides to open a case based on what you share. Sometimes CPS decides to remove minors from the home and other times they offer services such as family counseling or mediation instead.  The only way to know the outcome might be to reach out to them directly and if you’re ready to do that we are here to help you through that process. Another resource that may be helpful is Child Help. You can reach Child Help by calling 1-800-422-4453 or by visiting www.childhelp.org. They are able to help you gain a better understanding of what may happen before and after a report is made, if you decide to do so.



We want you to be safe even if that means from your own actions of self-harm. https://twloha.com/ is a great resource for finding hope in difficult situations and avoiding self-harm. Your safety is important. If you are in need of extra support, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a helpline that can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET.by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). You can also text "NAMI" TO 741-741 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor available 24/7 and receive support.



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 by local law enforcement. 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