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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Default Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    My question involves juvenile law in the State of: missouri
    Im 16 and will be 17 on January 27th, 2016. My birthday is 38 days away and i am terrified at the thought that i wont be able to move out. Im not in any physical danger, but my situation is very complicated. I live with my mom and i do not know my dad and i was assaulted by a family member leading to not talking too my grandparents or any of my moms family so i have no one to turn to. I have been holding out hope for over a year that when i turned 17 id be able to move because it was what i had been told by many people that i would be able to do so. Currently im running low on hope and im in search for a miracle and an answer. Can i move out in Missouri when i turn 17? Ive been told by several that i can, and by several that i cant. Please help.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    38,867

    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    The age of majority (when you are no longer a minor and subject to the control of your parents) is 18

    missouri does have law concerning 17 year olds but that is simply they are considered adults for purposes of the judicial system. That simply means a 17 year old is prosecuted as an adult

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Massachusetts
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    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    If you have your parents' permission to move out at 17 you can.

    If you don't have your parents' permission to move out at 17 you can't.

    It really is that simple.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    Quote Quoting jk
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    That simply means a 17 year old is prosecuted as an adult
    ... even if you can't be prosecuted for a status offense, such as running away from home, that's a separate issue from whether your parents can drag you home.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    2

    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    so if i left what would happen?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    Quote Quoting Kaykat17
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    so if i left what would happen?
    Your parents can come and get you and you'd likely be grounded until you're at least 18. If anybody tries to stop them, whoever it is can end up in trouble.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    let's start with a bit of law:


    211.021. *1. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
    (1) "Adult" means a person seventeen years of age or older except for seventeen-year-old children as defined in this section;
    (2) "Child" means any person under seventeen years of age and shall mean, in addition, any person over seventeen but not yet eighteen years of age alleged to have committed a status offense;
    so that means if you commit a status offense, you are still a child and get to be treated like one.

    so, from http://www.mjja.org/about/faq/#7 (because there explanation is better and simpler than the statutes themselves:



    What is a status offense?
    A status offense is a violation of the juvenile code which, if that same act were committed by an adult, would not be a violation of the law. There are only five status offenses recognized by Missouri law. They are: (1) truancy, (2) incorrigible child, (3) runaway child, (4) behavior or associations injurious to the welfare of the child and (5) the child is charged with an offense not classified as criminal or applicable only to children.

    Juvenile court to have exclusive jurisdiction, when--exceptions--home schooling, attendance violations, how treated.

    211.031. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the juvenile court or the family court in circuits that have a family court as provided in sections 487.010 to 487.190 shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings:
    (1) Involving any child or person seventeen years of age who may be a resident of or found within the county and who is alleged to be in need of care and treatment because:
    and within that section of law:

    (c) The child is habitually absent from his or her home without sufficient cause, permission, or justification; or

    hmmm, sounds like maybe the court does have a problem with a 17 year old running away from home.

    so, because you run away you activate the section of law that says they can come get you. In addition, whomever may aid you can be charged with a crime as well.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    Bottom line, you live where your mother says that you live until you become a legal adult, at age 18. I realize that is hard for you to accept, but accept it you must.

    Now, if there are things that you need help with, you are free to ask your mother to enroll you in counseling so that you have a neutral party to talk to about the things that are bothering you and who can help to teach you coping skills. However what you really need to realize is that it is much harder to support yourself than you think it is and moving out before you are a legal adult does not make things better, it makes things worse, nearly always.

    Even if you have friends willing to take you in there is a limit to what they are going to be willing to do for you in the long run.

    Staying home until you graduate from high school, getting good grades so that you can get scholarships for college, getting a part time job to save money for incidentals...those all good ways to let you exit home gracefully, with the ability to make your own way in life.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    Wow, nothing against the other posts, but Jk & Llw, those two were absolutely fantastic.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    38,867

    Default Re: Can a Minor Move Out at Age 17

    well gosh, thank you much

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