Can You Run Away if You're About to Turn 18

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: California

I'm 8 days away from my 18th birthday, and I CANNOT take living in my house with my guardians (aunt and uncle) anymore. My uncle and I coexist, don't really speak to one another. My aunt, who is my late father's sister, is just overbearing, selfish, and flat-out mean. I have a safe place to live within the town and still will be going to school everyday. I even have EXTRA credits in high school, so I'm MORE than on the track to graduate. I'm also waiting for my medical issues to be handled with the Air Force because, while at MEPS this summer, the day I was supposed to swear in, I was disqualified after my physical from the doctor at MEPS for having a seizure, information I was pressured into disclosing regardless of advice from my AF Recruiter not to (This seizure took place my sophomore year. I am currently a senior). The army is my backup plan, and I've already taken it upon myself to speak with a recruiter. Today really heated up, and I feel if I don't get out ASAP, it may escalate to physical violence. My plan was to go to school, and just text my aunt from my friends phone ( because I don't have one ) and tell her flat out that I wasn't coming home. I've texted her before telling her not to pick me up from school and that I'd get a ride home when we've gotten into verbal confrontations. And she honors that. My question is, being that I'm merely 8 days from my 18th birthday and living in California, can I be labeled a runaway and forced to return home or arrested if I go to school tomorrow and do not come home? Mind you, I would not just not come home without notice. I do plan on telling my aunt, not that she would care. Shes made it a point of telling me she doesn't care about me, and that the only reason I'm here is because she promised her brother. It's just hard. Sorry, I'm just going to vent a bit. To tell your aunt, whose supposed to be like your mother that you love her EVERYDAY, multiple times a day, to get a grunt back or a sarcastic reply. I've put up with this for damn near 7 years. Its been a long time coming. I've been grabbed, socked in the mouth, called a "dumbass" and a "bitch" among other things. I'm at my boiling point. I could never hate the woman, but If I never saw her again, I'd be fine with that.

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Quoting EbonyJ

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My question is, being that I'm merely 8 days from my 18th birthday and living in California, can I be labeled a runaway and forced to return home or arrested if I go to school tomorrow and do not come home?

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Yes. if you are under 18 and runaway from home, you can be compelled by force to return home to your legal guardians or sent into foster care.

To save problems, and to prevent an entry into NCIC with your name on it, stay home for the next 8 days. You never know, some day you might want to get a job requiring a security clearance or other background check and you might not want to have to explain running away from home at 17.9+ years of age.

No one is going to advise you to run away.

Um, I'm not asking that. What I was asking was if it would become a legal issue if I left. That's it, that's all. If it would truly be considered running away. Just saying.

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Quoting EbonyJ

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Um, I'm not asking that. What I was asking was if it would become a legal issue if I left. That's it, that's all. If it would truly be considered running away. Just saying.

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And the answer is, YES. It could be a legal issue ... assuming anyone reports you as a runaway. If they don't care enough to call the police, then it's not an issue. If they do, your name will be associated in a national computer system as a runaway/missing person until contacted by the police or you return home. And even afterward, a background investigation will be able to access this information.

The day you turn 18, you can do what you want. I suggest you spend these 8 days PLANNING. Where are you going to live? Your aunt and uncle do not have to allow you to take anything but the clothes on your back.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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The day you turn 18, you can do what you want. I suggest you spend these 8 days PLANNING. Where are you going to live? Your aunt and uncle do not have to allow you to take anything but the clothes on your back.

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I know we say that a lot, but that's not entirely true...particularly in the case of guardians who may have been using social security benefits or the op's own money to support him. They don't have to let him take anything that they paid for out of their own pockets.

Very true...but it gives OP an idea of what to expect...a pair of undies, a pair of shorts, and tank top...not gonna get ya very far....

Actually, things are good right now. I had a long conversation with my Mom and she encouraged me and helped me out a lot. I plan on staying here until I start AF Boot Camp. Things are surprisingly waaaay better with my Aunt. Thanks!

Hence the reason the law discourages frivolous attempts by children to obtain emancipation. Good Luck.

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Quoting EbonyJ

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Actually, things are good right now. I had a long conversation with my Mom and she encouraged me and helped me out a lot. I plan on staying here until I start AF Boot Camp. Things are surprisingly waaaay better with my Aunt. Thanks!

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