Will You Get in Trouble if You Run Away at Age 17

[questioned]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Virginia.
At 17 and 4 months, if I leave because I can't handle being put in one of my parents house because of abuse and the courts say I'm not in danger, will I get in trouble? An will the person who houses me get into trouble if I leave without permission? An will I get in trouble for not finishing school? An will the cops come after me?

[Dogmatique]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Virginia.
At 17 and 4 months, if I leave because I can't handle being put in one of my parents house because of abuse and the courts say I'm not in danger, will I get in trouble? An will the person who houses me get into trouble if I leave without permission? An will I get in trouble for not finishing school? An will the cops come after me?

All of that is possible, yes.

[questioned]

Can I leave though?

[readytoleave]

I am sorry that you are in this situation. There are crappy parents everywhere, and there are perfectly fine parents with teenagers who think they are crappy. I am not sure what this situation is, but unless a court says otherwise, until you are 18 you live where your parents tell you. If they give you permission to live elsewhere, then you can. If they tell you that you live at home, then you live there.

[adjusterjack]

Can I leave though?

The answer to a "can" question almost invariably has to be "yes" because "can" denotes the ability to do something, not necessarily whether it's done rightly or wrongly.

You are obviously physically capable of getting up and walking out the door so the choice is up to you.

As to the consequences of doing so, there's no way to predict. They can run anywhere from bad to none. You roll the dice.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Virginia juvenile court maintains jurisdiction over seventeen year olds, so running away from home or school truancy can land you in court and potentially in juvenile detention.

[cbg]

If the question is, can my parents/the cops force me to come back if I leave, the answer is yes, they can. As long as you are even one minute under 18, you don't go anywhere your parents do not give you permission to go.