running until age 18

[warrior4yah]

hi, i was just wondering-- in the state of Tx. if my son were to runaway while he was 17 and if he didn't get caught and then later he turned 18, would he still be considered a runeway? or could the law hold him for running away even though he was 18? I would really appretiate an answer as soon as possible... thank you

[chaser]

Which State do you reside?

[warrior4yah]

in the state of tx

[retdetsgt]

Runaway is a status offense rather than a criminal. Once he is 18, I can't possibly see how it would apply to him in any state.

For one thing, he would be too old be be house in a juvenile facility and a regular jail would never accept him for a non crimina, non violation offense that carries no bail.

[txinvestigator1]

hi, i was just wondering-- in the state of Tx. if my son were to runaway while he was 17 and if he didn't get caught and then later he turned 18, would he still be considered a runeway? or could the law hold him for running away even though he was 18? I would really appretiate an answer as soon as possible... thank you

He is not a runaway at 17 in Texas.

Texas Juvenile Justive Code (from the Texas Family Code)


Sec. 51.02. DEFINITIONS. In this title:


(2) "Child" means a person who is:

(A) ten years of age or older and under 17 years of age; or

(B) seventeen years of age or older and under 18 years of age who is alleged or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision as a result of acts committed before becoming 17 years of age.

As you can see, a 17 year old is not a child under Texas law;, therefore they fall under the adult laws.


The "runaway" law.

Texas Juvenile Justice Code

Sec. 51.03. DELINQUENT CONDUCT; CONDUCT INDICATING A NEED FOR SUPERVISION.

(b) Conduct indicating a need for supervision is:




(3) the voluntary absence of a child from the child's home without the consent of the child's parent or guardian for a substantial length of time or without intent to return;

[mcsap]

Being a runaway in my state is not a crime. We dont arrest kids who are runaways , just take them into custody and get them back to their parents but there is no fine or court.

Once he turned 18 , he is " home free".

We do allow a person over 18 to be entered as a " missing endangered " into NCIC if the family can give us a plausible reason why they are endangered. Even so, if we find them and they seem in conrol of themselves , we just tell them to call home and let them go.

[pac201]

hi, i was just wondering-- in the state of Tx. if my son were to runaway while he was 17 and if he didn't get caught and then later he turned 18, would he still be considered a runeway? or could the law hold him for running away even though he was 18? I would really appretiate an answer as soon as possible... thank you

so how much longer before you turn 18?

[Ispbear]

so how much longer before you turn 18?

I was wondering if anyone else was going to catch on to that. ;)

[mcsap]

I didn't run away but I did go in the military at age 17. I showed my parents !!!

[pac201]

I didn't run away but I did go in the military at age 17. I showed my parents !!!

no fair! I almost peed my pants laughing so hard!!!:D