Running Away from Home in Virginia

[sparkmaster]

In the state of Virginia,yes you can,but only as follows.....
1)you can be emancipated,but only that you can provide to the courts,that you do have a steady income coming in,and have the means to support yourself.you can do the petition yourself,your parents does not have to give concent.you are the petitioner,not your parents.
2)4 to 6 months after your 17th birthday,you can leave home.law enforcement,social services,juvenile courts,and your parents can not do anything about it.the state of Virginia consider you as an adult,and you do have rights.
3)you are consider an adult,and can move out in the state of virginia at 17only if you are pregnant,or already have a child.you also have full rights as well.your parents,legal gardian,or any family member that has legal custody of you, can not keep you home,if they try they are violating your rights and you can take them to court.there are several legal offices in Virginia that will help you in this matter.
4)In order for steps 1 and 2 to take affect,you have to be a resident in virginia for 6 months or more.But step 3 is affective in almost all the states,not just Virginia.

[cbg]

The above answer is nonsense.

In all 50 states, the age of majority is 18 or even older in a couple of states. Until a minor reaches the age of majority, they are under the care and control of their parents. There is no state where a minor can legally leave home without parental permission if they are younger than 18. There are a few states where the cops will be reluctant to force a minor home if they are only a few months from majority and the minor is somewhere safe, but make no mistake, if the minor is 17 years and 364 days or younger, the parents CAN force the minor home if they are determined enough, and the law will back them up. That's back up the parents, not the minor.

Legal emancipation is very, very rare; it happens only in extreme situations, and not if the parents object.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Some states give juvenile courts no jurisdiction over acts committed by 17-year-olds, meaning that the most the police could do with a 17-year-old runaway is take them home. In such a circumstance, they often choose not to because they can't do anything to make the minor stay there. The parents have no recourse through the courts, either.

[sparkmaster]

To the above answer,
I guess your not up to date about the laws changing,sure in some states in may vary on this topic.but in virginia some laws has changed.So has florida,North carolina,Georgia,Ohio,and maryland.I know this because I am a family law attorney in Virginia,have been for 12 years,I have bars for North carolina,and georgia as well.and my wife is a juvenile probation officer,for 9 years.So yea the three steps are correct.if it was'nt I would not post it.

its true about want you are saying,as far as the run away is concern,the law will not enforce a 17 year old to return home.besides that they will not use any man power hours,to even look for them.if they see them then yea,they may take them home,but if they don't see them then nothing can be done.
but we are not talking about run aways,we are talking about the rights of 17 year olds,and if they can leave home,when they are with child or already have a child.and yes they do have full rights,and are consider an adult when they have a child.like I said it may vary in different states,not all the states have the same laws.thats why the comment from cbg is non-sense,they need to study more about the laws and how they are changing.

[cbg]

Fine. Post the law that says a 17 year old may leave home before the age of majority. Also explain why the laws of VA mean anything in Louisiana.

[aardvarc]

Bovine excrament.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you read only as well as you write, I have no faith in your ability to interpret a statute. But you know, "Pull the other one".

[Papi Yanqui]

I'm calling B.S. to the being a lawyer thing...

[jjiles93]

I need to talk to you Sparkmaster. I have a problem. Both of my parents are crazy. I am being serious. I need help with an answer that is very important. Please contact me.

[Xena]

I need to talk to you Sparkmaster. I have a problem. Both of my parents are crazy. I am being serious. I need help with an answer that is very important. Please contact me.

Sparkmaster is NOT anyone that you want to take advice from.

If you don't want to post your question for those of us that have knowledge that can help you, please talk to some trusted adult about your problem. If you are being neglected or abused, call CPS.