Runaway Teenagers

With the family structure in America eroding, one of the tragic consequences is the alienation of our children.  It is estimated that each year, there are on average 1.4 million runaway children.  In some instances, children as young as 10 years old leave what they believe are unbearable home situations.  Sadly, the law regarding runaways is far from consistent.

Penalties for Running Away                            

Generally, a child is required to remain in the custody of their parents or legal guardians until age 18.  However, the penalties for running away from home vary widely from state to state.  Most jurisdictions consider running away to be a status offense, while others do not consider running away a crime and merely return a runaway to their home when they are found.

Possible Penalties

• Detention
• Probation
• Counselling

Sentencing for Running Away

In most cases, a juvenile court judge attempts to work with the family to restore the child to the home.  Advice from social services officials, counsellors, school administrators, and other child and family experts can help him make that important determination.  You may want to have a legal representative help you through this process to make sure your child’s needs are being thoughtfully considered.

Legal Support for Juvenile Running Away Charges?

If you suspect that your child is contemplating running away, or if you have already had to deal with a runaway child, you should know the laws in your state.  No matter what those laws are, it is up to a caring parent to take appropriate steps.  Report the missing child, make sure you file a formal report and take the badge number of the officer who accepted the report.  Hold him accountable to pursue the case appropriately under your local statutes. 

When your child comes home, work with the authorities to make sure they are appropriately adjudicating the case.  A competent attorney can help you through each step of that process.  Running away can lead to consequences that may damage your child’s life forever.  Do not hesitate to get the help you need to solve the legal ramifications so you can concentrate on restoring the important parent-child relationship.

• If you need help with a Juvenile Criminal charge, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a local Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer.