Is There a Volunteer Limit for Minors

**A_good_kid** · 04-29-2009, 12:40 PM

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: New Jersey.

I am 16 years old. In 2007 and 2008 combined, I volunteered an average of 20 hours a week. I want to get a letter from my township accrediting me for my community service to use for college and scholarships.

There is a whole back story to this but its way too complicated. I became close friends with the ACO(Animal Control Officer) and she was eventually fired for political reasons. Shes taking care of that situation though. I don't think her boss likes me because she despised this ACO and I was one of her good friends who only volunteered with her.

I want to tell them I did an average of 20 hours a week but my mom is afraid they will call child services and have me taken away and her arrested. She wants to tell them I did 12 hours a week. I feel that I earned every hour of hard work that I did and deserve it. While all my friends were being stupid and getting into trouble, I was helping others and becoming a great person.

What I need to know is if there is a limit on volunteering in New Jersey. If there is, what is it? Also, can they arrest my parents and take us away if I did break the limit? What if I didn't? If they do arrest them and I didn't go over any limits, what can we sue for?

Thank you very much,
A_good_kid

**LawResearcherMissy** · 05-01-2009, 07:18 AM

There does not appear to be a limit on the number of hours you may volunteer in a week. In some industries, you may even be employed for 40 hours a week.

Claim your 20 hours a week, kiddo. You DID earn them. And congrats for taking the initiative - it gives some of old codgers hope that the future might not be so doomed.

**A_good_kid** · 05-01-2009, 06:39 PM

Thank you very muck for answering my question. I will try to get my 20 hours and see what happens. I did earn them and want nothing less.The future won't be doomed because ill be living in it, ha ha.