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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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On 10/28/03
Britney from TN said:
I know you can get married in Georgia which part i don't know
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On 10/28/03
britney from TN said:
If your mom tells you to leave, leave when she calls the cops tell them she told you to and she leaves you sitting outside in the cold
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On 10/25/03
Dan from MO said:
I hate being with my dad and just want to live with my mom what legal age can I choose what parent I want to be with?
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On 08/03/03
tyler from AZ said:
hey i am 17, my parents go overboard with punishments, i am not a rebellious teen, i love my parents and they are great people they are just not good parents, since i am almost 18 they are trying to push as hard as they can because once im 18 there is nothing they can do, they are not going to let me go to a highschool wich i was doing fantastic at and they will no longer allow me to go to the universaty in which i wanted to attened, so i have decided to stay with a family friends and continue going to that high school and finish off my sr. year then pay for my own colledge, but i was wonderin
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On 06/18/03
Kern from FL said:
I have to get away from my parents.....so i am wanting to run away...the emancipation thingy is wierd....cuz i have to have my parents permission...but if i run away what honestly be done to me?
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