ExpertLaw.com Forums

Can a 17-Year-Old Live Away from Home in Texas

Printable View

  • 07-17-2012, 03:26 PM
    sung666
    Can a 17-Year-Old Live Away from Home in Texas
    My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Texas.

    I've been seeing a lot of mixed answers in this forum about this topic and I want a specific answer on this one especially for my situation.

    I am 16 years old going on 17 fairly soon. (Just finished my Sophomore year in high school.)
    I wasn't born here and I do not have a green card yet.
    I do have an E2 Visa though, which will expire in 2 years. (By the time, I will be 18.)
    As soon as I finish my Junior year in high school, I'd like to move out and live with my friend who is an year older than me.

    - Is it possible for me to move out even without a green card?
    - Is it legal for me to live with my friend?

    Thank you.
  • 07-17-2012, 03:29 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    If your parents let you live with a friend, you can live with a friend.

    Once your immigration status ends, you will be expected to return to your nation of origin.
  • 07-17-2012, 03:38 PM
    sung666
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    If it's legal to move out when I am 17 voluntarily, do they really have to know about it?
    (This is not that important, but I am just asking out of curiosity.)

    I do realize that, but it is legal for me to move out on my own when I am 17, right?
  • 07-17-2012, 03:44 PM
    LawResearcherMissy
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    Quote:

    I do realize that, but it is legal for me to move out on my own when I am 17, right?
    No, it is not legal for you to move out without parental permission at 17. You can move out with their consent when you're 17, but need to wait until you're 18 if they do not consent.
  • 07-17-2012, 03:58 PM
    sung666
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    Some people say it is legal and some people say that it isn't.
    I am really confused and I know I've read:

    "In Texas a child can move out at age 17 and the police will not force the child to come home." (Rita M. Boyd, Attorney in Dallas, TX)

    ,etc.
  • 07-17-2012, 04:43 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    If you read the bazillion threads on this question, you will find that it's a question of juvenile court jurisdiction and local police department policy.

    If you want to run away from home to shack up with your boyfriend, it may well be that the police in your town won't make you go home - but even if that's the case we can't promise you that they'll stop your father from hoisting you over his shoulder and carrying you home. It's Texas, so they may even applaud your dad for teaching you a valuable lesson. In the eyes of the law you're still a child.
  • 07-17-2012, 05:03 PM
    cbg
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    Quote:

    Quoting sung666
    View Post
    Some people say it is legal and some people say that it isn't.
    I am really confused and I know I've read:

    "In Texas a child can move out at age 17 and the police will not force the child to come home." (Rita M. Boyd, Attorney in Dallas, TX)

    ,etc.

    Do you really believe that Ms. Boyd can verify that NO police officer in the state of Texas will force the child to come home? Do you note the word, child? Do you understand that "will not" and "cannot" do not mean the same thing?

    SOME police officers will CHOOSE not to return a 17 year old home, if the 17 year old is in a safe place. That does not under any stretch of the imagination mean that they are not permitted to. Or that all police officers will CHOOSE the same way.
  • 07-17-2012, 06:12 PM
    sung666
    Re: Can a 17-Year-Old Run Away from Home in Texas
    Thank you.

    Those aren't the reason why I want to move out when I turn 17. I do have my reasons and I am not seeking for troubles so I asked.
    Again, thank you for your answer.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I am sure you know what the word "confused" mean.
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:01 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.4
Copyright © 2023 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2004 - 2018 ExpertLaw.com, All Rights Reserved