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Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: Can a 17 and 20 year old date?

I live in Iowa, I’m a 17 year old female and want to date and possibly have sexual relations with a 20 year old male. is this legal?

Gabriel A Watson
Gabriel A Watson answered on Apr 28, 2020

The Age of Consent in Iowa is 16 years old.

In the United States law, the term "Age of Consent" describes the age at which an individual, male or female, is considered legally of age to consent to participation in sexual activity. This means that individuals less than 16-years-of-age cannot...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for New Jersey on
Q: i'm 16 turning 17 and i want to move out of my house with my friend and his mother, if i have a job would it be fine?

my parents and i constantly argue and i want to move out, my friends mom has already told me i can stay with them as long as i pay rent which i would be fine with. but would my parents be able to stop me if they wanted to?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond answered on Apr 28, 2020

You are not going to like my response.... but I dont think I have ever met a 16 or 17 year old ( including myself when I was that age) who did not argue / fight with his / her parents. The fact that you and your parents are fighting does not mean that you are wrong or that they are wrong.... simply... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: In order to be considered a habitual runaway in KY, are you required to be gone overnight?

I understand that "Habitual runaway" means any child who has been found by the court to have been absent from his or her place of lawful residence without the permission of his or her custodian for at least three (3) days during a one (1) year period. Would this include a youth who has gone and... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Apr 28, 2020

It wouldn’t encompass the returns the same day, but it would cover the overnights on three separate occasions or one three day jaunt.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Georgia on
Q: How do you file a section 15-11-567 motion in Georgia when your child's attorney does not respond.
Priscilla T. Upshaw
Priscilla T. Upshaw answered on Apr 27, 2020

More information is needed before an accurate answer can be provided. It is best to contact an attorney who can assist you with the specifics of your case.

We are glad to assist you. Contact us whenever you are ready.

I wish you well.

-The Upshaw Law Firm, (770) 240-0922.

2 Answers | Asked in Federal Crimes, Libel & Slander and Juvenile Law for Minnesota on
Q: What are the consequences if someone presses charges on you for throwing lemonade on their parked car?

No one was inside the car. There was no damage. Maybe made a tiny section of the car sticky. The person however is accusing us of keying the car. We did not.

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher answered on Apr 27, 2020

Only the police or a prosecutor can initiate a criminal investigation and charge. A person can complain to police, who might or might not investigate. If police do investigate, avoid talking to them. Talk to a criminal lawyer first. Apart from legal action, it's a good idea to respect other... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: If dcf has started and investigation and files a petition..

If dcf files a petition for an emergency removal and the statments they have obtained and are using as evidence in the petition can be proven untrue example, "if they say they have spoken to someone but they actually have never spoken to them" what can the parents do about the situation in regards... Read more »

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick answered on Apr 26, 2020

The family will have to hire a lawyer to represent the PARENTS of the child now in DCF’s care.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Minnesota on
Q: adjudication

If Minnesota law says that children 14 and younger are legally incapable of committing crimes, how can a child who was 11 at the time of the action be adjudicated?

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher answered on Apr 25, 2020

It appears that the minimum age at which a youth can be adjudicated delinquent is 10 years old; but the youngest age at which a youth can be certified as an adult for criminal liability is 14. However my view is that many young juveniles are incompetent to participate in the court process due to... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Louisiana on
Q: What is the Louisiana law as to the youngest a child can be to babysit?
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux answered on Apr 24, 2020

10 to be left alone. 14 to babysit.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Federal Crimes and Juvenile Law for Oklahoma on
Q: I’m 17 and pregnant, am I legally an adult? Can I legally move out or get in trouble with law for “running away”?
Pete David Louden
Pete David Louden answered on Apr 24, 2020

Are you legally and adult? No. You are an adult when you are 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Juvenile Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I use my child's UTMA funds for prior education & school activities?

Our child has a UTMA with investments and cash in it. We have never taken money out of it. We didn't realize that we could use it for education, child betterment and school activities. We paid all of these expenses out of pocket for many years and are now in debt because of it.

Nina Whitehurst
Nina Whitehurst answered on Apr 24, 2020

Under the Georgia UTMA custodian may expend the minor's funds for the support, maintenance, education, and general use and benefit of the minor. However, it would be inappropriate to expend the fund to bail the minor's parents out of debt. The safest course of action would be to use the funds... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: Im 17 can i runaway from home to my boyfriends house and not get his family in trouble. They told me i could move in.
Jeffrey Snyder
Jeffrey Snyder answered on Apr 22, 2020

No. You are under your parents rules until 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Juvenile Law and Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: my mom lied to cops saying i hit her ..im 17 and did not hit her. what do i do?

That day my mother tricked me saying we were going to a job cite but really we were going to a mental institution. i didnt agree to it ;unaware of my rights i left . i didnt want to sign up for anything i was not informed of. she grabbed me by the hair and punched me several times trying to stop... Read more »

Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace answered on Apr 22, 2020

This question is marked both Utah and Texas. This response assumes the incident happened in Texas. If it didn't happen in Texas then you can disregard everything else I have to say below...

You just posted an online confession to assaulting your mother by grabbing her wrist. In Texas,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Texas on
Q: If I’m 17 in Texas and my fiancé is 20 with my parents permission , is that illegal ?
Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace answered on Apr 22, 2020

The 20-year-old could be charged with a crime like Sexual Performance of a Child until the younger one turns 18 years old. Whether or not local law enforcement is likely to actually stoop that low is a question that can only be answered by someone in your community.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Maryland on
Q: Does maryland have romeo and juliet law (close in age exemption)
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley answered on Apr 18, 2020

16 is the age of consent in Maryland. When the youngest partner is under 16 years of age, and the older partner is not 4 or more years older than the younger partner, then consensual sexual intercourse is legal in Maryland, but illegal if the older partner is 4 years or more older. However, if... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Juvenile Law and Sexual Harassment for Arizona on
Q: A teenager molested a child for three years straight 6 years ago, Is there hope to get justice for that now? Arizona.

The Child was 8 and the Teen was 13 when it began. The last time it happened was when the child was 11 and the Teen was 16. It happened 6yrs ago so the child is 17 now and the teen should be 22. The dude has a young daughter now and we’re so scared he might do something to her. We don’t know if... Read more »

Zachary Divelbiss
Zachary Divelbiss answered on Apr 16, 2020

If you are reporting a crime, you need to contact your local law enforcement agency.

Arizona felonies have a statute of limitations of seven years. However, certain crimes, such as this, may fall into a certain category where there is no statute of limitations. I will not go into further...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Juvenile Law and Sexual Harassment for California on
Q: Did I break a law commenting on 17 year olds bikini picture?

The picture is of a person I follow on Snapchat. The picture is of the person’s side profile with her bottom arched out and the caption “am I thick?”. I replied with a thumbs up. After realizing this, I looked up her age, went back to Snapchat, attempted to delete message before it was seen,... Read more »

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow answered on Apr 15, 2020

i doubt if anything would come from your thumbs up

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I get emancipated at 16? Is there any possible way?
Cathy Cook Esq
Cathy Cook Esq answered on Apr 14, 2020

Sorry, but we don’t have this in Ohio. If you are trying to get out of your parents’ home, the only way is to be removed by the state due to abuse or neglect.

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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: I have a 17 year old “runaway” that is living with me and my family. His father, and possibly mother, wants him home.

This 17 year old former soccer player that I’ve coached left his parent’s home and asked if I could help... he is currently staying with me and my wife (& 3 children). He is less than two months away from turning 18. His father is an alcoholic, and has been abusive- physically, verbally, and... Read more »

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard answered on Apr 14, 2020

You indicate that "both parents initially agreed to allow the individual to stay with me; however, after a week, the father is now threatening hospitalization for psychiatric evaluation. " I don't understand what you mean by "now threatening hospitalization for psychiatric evaluation"... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: Can you be emancipated at 16 with parental consent in ohio?

Hello, I was wondering if I could be emancipated with parental consent in ohio if I am completely self supporting (this will include finding a independent place) and can prove myself competent enough to make "adult" decisions. My parent and me argue a lot and we would like to stop it and we have... Read more »

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap answered on Apr 14, 2020

No, you cannot be emancipated in Ohio. You are a minor and are your parents' responsibility until you are 18. Until you are 18, contracts cannot be legally enforced against you. It is normal for teens to have friction with parents. As you mature, you will learn to better deal with adults,... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am 15. I want to be emancipated. I am capable of getting a job and of basic life skills. What is the process of this?
Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall answered on Apr 14, 2020

The internet is full of information -- try this: https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/emancipation-of-minors.

Moreover, I have a general rule about a minor seeking emancipation: if a minor can't figure out the emancipation process on his/her own, that minor probably isn't ready to be...
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