Juvenile Law Q&A by State

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Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I live in Pennsylvania and my 16 year old son took a bb gun with him to school. Can he get charged.

Someone told the teachers that my son had a bb gun in his locker. Cops were called. Can my son be charged for having a bb gun on school property

Mark Aaron Hinrichs
Mark Aaron Hinrichs answered on Nov 21, 2021

Yes, a number of things can happen, including being charged with several crimes. i suggest you and your retain counsel immediately and do not speak with the police without an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: I'm 17. I plan to run away from home and from my abusive parents. What can my parents do then?

Can my parents force me back home? Can people harboring me be punished?

I doubt that I can prove any instance of abuse, but, even knowing how dangerous living on the streets is, I would rather be homeless than live with my parents. That said, I may be able to get a friend to take me in, at... Read more »

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap answered on Nov 18, 2021

If someone assists you in running away, they could get into trouble. So before doing anything, talk to a teacher, school counselor, or other trusted adult about your situation. They are the people in the best position to find help for you in this difficult situation. And they will help you. So... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for New York on
Q: my daughters attorney in our battle represented her dad in a separate case prior to and after ours is that a conflict?

And can she get in trouble that she knew this and did not recuse herself ?

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas answered on Nov 17, 2021

The question certainly may present a conflict if that prior case involved family law in a family court. If that was the case, then the conflict is that the attorney can use information gained from the father and use it either for or against the father. However, if the case was something else in a... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Georgia on
Q: Notice to the clerk not in proper form heard based on assertion?
Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore answered on Nov 11, 2021

We cannot do anything for you because your "question" makes no sense. Try again and ask a specific question in proper question format.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: My son, who is 15, has snuck out 3 times in 2 weeks and went to 12 year old girlfriend's house and lied about location.

For the last 2 weeks my son who is 15 has snuck out and went to his girlfriend's house who is 12 and lives with her mom. The first time he left on Friday and finally got him to come home on Monday. And when asked if he was there by my dad the girlfriend and an adult male that was there lied to... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Nov 10, 2021

Take a beyond control petition to get him picked up and into court. You can consider other charges against other people as the facts shake out.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: What charges will my 14yr old son face for fighting. He has been in trouble before so does this mean juvenile jail.
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Nov 10, 2021

Probably misdemeanor assault.. not necessarily jail time unless injuries were serious.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Michigan on
Q: CPS used threats for compliance. There is proof, how can that help an appeal of termination of parental rights?

Cps threatened to have kids removed, foster care worker lied, refused services, added heresay statements on record, denied parent access to children for medical, dental, and school appointments

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers answered on Nov 8, 2021

For the uninitiated, you will find "threats" mean something different in the legal world. When CPS (or police, prosecutor, attorney) says "if you don't do this, I'll do that"...and the "that" is something lawful - meaning under the law, they, or a judge, can... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for New Jersey on
Q: A 13 year old “jumped” a classmate. Victim ended up with a broken nose. If parent presses charges, what can happen?

Suspect attacked another student(middle schools students). Victim did not fight back as smaller in size. Victim ended up in the hospital with a broken nose. Will there be any repercussions if the mother presses charges? As seen normally juvenile cases get dismissed and left to the parents... Read more »

Amber Forrester
Amber Forrester answered on Oct 29, 2021

While there are many diversionary options (resolutions that do not result in the juvenile being adjudicated delinquent) in juvenile court, it is not the case that juvenile cases normally get dismissed or left to the parents discretion when a formal police complaint has been filed. The possible... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal for someone to record a minor without their consent?

A controlled by took place where in the video record of the controlled by there is footage of a minor smoking. I thought that without a minors permission given it is against the law and against their rights?

Michael  Mayoral
Michael Mayoral answered on Oct 28, 2021

There are laws against video voyeurism (Fla. Stat. 810.145) and recording audio without a person's consent (934.03), but both laws have exceptions for law enforcement. This should be discussed with the criminal defense attorney handling the case. Also, legal steps can be taken to protect the... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Juvenile Law, Family Law, Adoption and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: Our parental rights were terminated in Juvenile Dependency case. Can our children be adopted w/out our knowledge?

My hubby showed for the TPR hearing, I did Not. Apparently, our rights WERE terminated. He didn't sign any paperwork, and, as I stated, I did not even go. Can our babies be adopted out without even our Knowledge? Also, can we adopt our own kids?!

Regina Irene Edwards
Regina Irene Edwards answered on Oct 28, 2021

If your rights were terminated, the children can be adopted with no notice to you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Mississippi on
Q: My 17 year old was in a shoving match, and law enforcement was called. No one was arrested and other party had to leave.

The officer gave my son a lecture after hearing both sides. I as the parent broke up the altercation. The officer said if they come back everyone on the property will be arrested. He told my son you don't want your father arrested or yourself. My main question is since my son is only 17 a... Read more »

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin answered on Oct 27, 2021

As far as the altercation is concerned, the individuals involved would be the ones subject to arrest. When police arrived, anyone who fails to follow lawful commands or acts unruly would also be subject to arrest. If you supply prohibited substances to the minors or allow them to use them while on... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for North Carolina on
Q: My 16 yr old in NC left home over a month ago and now wants to obtain her personal belongings, do I have to give it back
Kenneth R. Harris Jr.
Kenneth R. Harris Jr. answered on Oct 25, 2021

If your child is 16 and not emancipated, she is considered a "minor". Therefore, she does not actually "own" (legally) any of the items in your possession. On the other hand, if she wishes to return to your home, she can (and should, under the law) be allowed to do so - she is... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: I’m 15,about a week ago me and my friend got caught stealing. what is the usual legal punishment?

It was about $200 worth. I didn’t steal anything but a mascara, my friend put everything else in the bag and I had no idea she was taking so much. We currently are still waiting for paper work and a court date , but I also don’t have a way to get to court, to check in with a probation officer... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Oct 23, 2021

Probably some volunteer work if this is your first offense.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: Is a 17 year old allowed to fight a 14 year old? Isn’t a 17 year old considered a adult?
Leland Hulbert
Leland Hulbert answered on Oct 21, 2021

Under criminal law in Kentucky, anyone under 18 is considered a juvenile. It is illegal for any person, juvenile or adult, to injure another person by force unless they are using self-defense.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My 14 and 16 year old son's were jumped by a group of 8 kids do we need a lawyer
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing answered on Oct 14, 2021

Let the criminal process take it's course. If your son was hurt and you have medical bills the Crime Victims Compensation Act may pay for them.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Idaho on
Q: Is it legal for an adult aunt to share a bedroom with her teenage niece. We have been told that it is illegal
Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers answered on Oct 12, 2021

There is no Idaho criminal law prohibiting an adult female from sharing a bedroom with a family member.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Mississippi on
Q: Can Ms cps stop parents from getting medical updates from hospital on baby? I have been cooperating and very involved

My baby is in NICU. MSCps took custody this week. I have called hospital every single day since she was born to check on her. They have restricted the hospital on giving me, her mother, any info. I have done andor currently everything they have asked. They said bc they havent heard my voice in... Read more »

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin answered on Oct 10, 2021

Yes, you have the right, as her mother, to receive medical information of your child, unless you were using that information in an inappropriate manner. If CPS continues to interfere with this right, you may have to contact the social worker’s supervision or go to court and ask that any such... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Education Law and Juvenile Law for Florida on
Q: My daughter was involved in a fight and now the school is trying to expel her. How can I fight for her rights

The other party has since withdrawn from school and my daughter is getting all the fault. They even say they investigated but will not share any of the file

Henry George Ferro
Henry George Ferro answered on Oct 7, 2021

Hire a good lawyer!!!

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for Oklahoma on
Q: If the custodial parent has died, do I still owe arrearges? And who do I owe them to?

After her death I received some legal papers from an attorney explaining that she had passed away and that our minor child wanted to live with his older step brother. Having had no contact or relationship with the child for 16 of his 17 years I consented to his request only to find out later that... Read more »

Anna L Self
Anna L Self answered on Oct 5, 2021

If the custodial parent has died and the child is still a minor then you owe the child support arrears to the person who has guardianship over the child or if the child has received benefits from DHS due to your nonpayment of child support you may owe DHS.

If the child is now an adult and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Nevada on
Q: If my daughter lives with my mom but I still have full custody of her, who is legally responsible for her?

My husband, my daughter and I were living with my mom. My adult son also lives there. My mom kicked me and my husband out but my daughter stayed because we have no place and are now homeless. My mother is not taking my kid to school or making her do her work. We told my mom when she kicked us out... Read more »

Bonnie M Lonardo
Bonnie M Lonardo answered on Oct 3, 2021

Unless there is a court order giving your parents either guardianship or custody of the children, both parents are still legally responsible for the children.

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