Quick Question About "Running Away" That I Could Use Some Light On

[Justgottaquestion]

I am 17, will be 18 in March, and have decided that I want to leave my home. Call me immature, but it is something i've thought out. The only problem is that its the end of October, not March so technically I am considered a minor.

But, I don't want to be here anymore. I have a place to stay, I have two seasonal jobs that may as well be real jobs when the season is over, and I attend college while still in High School. If I leave, I know my parents will file a missing person report. But my real question is, can the police make me go back home? I know its recommended, but if i'm not doing anything illegal like drugs or vandalism or anything like that, and will not do anything like that, can they really MAKE me go home? I know what i'm doing, and i've planned all expenses. I have about a 1,000 dollars saved, and have these two jobs. I have a place to stay rent free, and my car is in my name as well as it is paid off. Insurance would be the only thing I need to pay, on top of gas.

School will be completely over for my High School career in May. I have things I want to do that my parents don't agree of, and honestly I believe I can fend for myself in majority. I'm not an idiot, and i'll take even school more serious without being hassled by my parents. Besides my parents physically making me go home, will the cops really do anything? I mean its not like i'm breaking any law besides being home. My dad is friends with the sheriff of the state, and has political friends as well, but I mean come on, they couldnt literally make me right? If I can be tried as an adult in Florida, shouldnt I be able to leave my house that I don't want to stay in?

[cdwjava]

Yes, they can make you go home. They can also arrest anyone who assists you in staying out of the control of your parents.

You cannot sign a lease so you would have to be someone's roommate ... though you will be a roommate that can land them in jail the moment you are found there.

While YOU may not be subject to criminal penalties - aside from truancy if you skip out on school - others who assist you can be.

Avoid being the poison pill and wait 5 more months. You are free to discover how tough the world is in a few months. Certainly you can hang until then. And if you really think that a savings account of $1,000 will get you anywhere, yes, I think we should call you immature ... or, naive.

There is plenty of time to struggle through the world. Don't rush it.