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Speak Up! - View Question #159 |
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Question: Is it unlawful for a minor (16) to runaway? If so what is the punishment?
Answer: If you are in a crisis situation or need counseling, LawForKids.org lists many 1-800 help lines that might be able to assist you. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
If a person is under age 18 in Arizona, he or she cannot leave home without a parent's permission unless he or she is fully emancipated, or the parents have lost their right to parental authority.
If a 16-year-old leaves home without permission from a parent or legal guardian, he or she can be prosecuted as an incorrigible child (A.R.S. § 8-201(15)(c)). Some of the consequences of being found incorrigible include being fined, be placed on probation, and being ordered to do community service. The specific charges and consequences are left up to the officer of the court.
If the parent cannot control the child, the child can be removed from the parent's supervision. The child may then be placed in an appropriate living place, a foster home or some type or a state facility.
Even if the parent does not report the run away, Child Protective Services can become involved if the minor living away from home is not receiving age-appropriate supervision, is engaging in harmful conduct, does not have adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or is living with an inappropriate person.
You will not be punished by being jailed, or fined, but running away will cause you a lot of problems. You may also cause problems for any adult who helps you.
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| Comments |
| 11 thru 15 of 33 comments |
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On 04/15/04
Kid from CA said:
I wonder if it's illegal to just take a temporary vacation somewhere by yourself with your parent's permission
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On 03/17/04
Danniele from IL said:
I know how you feel. I engaged to a guy I am not su[[osed to even talk to...in California. I've known him for 2 years, and I actuallyy met him while on the run. Believe me...it's not fun. You have to jump from place to place to avoid being caught. And when you do...that's not fun either...so be careful. Make sure you have a place to go that is not close to home...I would advice against doing it at all. It is very risky, and believe me, it is no fun on your own. It is not like, hey, now I can do whatever I want. You have to stay low, and a lot of stuff can happen...try your patience kid.
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On 03/13/04
vanessa from AZ said:
u know, half of u all r the reason y there is a law on running away and y none of us get recognization. u all whine about so much that doesn't even matter "overload on punishment"- stop getting in trouble. but this is the reason y society characterizes running away as normal teens and melodrama. the law SUCKS and its cuz u all OVER REACT, but those who have real problems (not me, i'm not placing me above u but i know a few that do) get no recognization. i get in trouble all the time, but i got caught, so i deal w/it.
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On 03/13/04
vanessa from AZ said:
yo dan most laws allow anyone over 14 to chose or at least have a majority say in their life, but you better have a good reason to give the courts when the ask you, and it better not be "she lets me stay out later" or "hes more lenient"
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On 03/08/04
Anthony from PA said:
It's sad to say, but it seems running away would be my only
option left. I have gone through hell on earth living with my
mother and I don't know what else to do. I have been thrown out
three times, the longest lasted 2 weeks, and the most recent
was just last Thursday. I'm running out of options...the
emancipation laws here are very strict. HELP ME, before I end up
leaving and having to take the risk of getting caught. :-P
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