Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee

Q: If I runaway and I’m under the age of 17 ... if I get caught what will they do to me ? What will happen ?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Answered
  • Columbia, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: You could be charged in juvenile court as "unruly"- the ultimate disposition will be up to the local juvenile court judge and depending on your prior record, it could be anything between some form of probation or supervision ( almost nothing) and at the other extreme, juvenile detention ( "jail"). Since you are almost a legal adult, you should expect to be treated like an adult. Unless you are being physically abused or there is some other real danger to your situation, I strongly suggest you wait until your are 18. The adult world is very harsh and unforgiving, and therefore you should not be in a hurry to join it.

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