Q: I am 17 and want to move out of my mom's house to move in with my brother who's 23. Can I do it legally without consent
A: At age 17, you are still a minor and 63.009(g) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure authorizes police to take possession of you and return you to your parents if you move out without their consent. Your brother should also be concerned about being criminally charged with harboring a runaway. In my experience, the behavior of both the police and the district attorney's office when called in these types of cases is unpredictable. Your parents should not assume that you will actually be delivered to them, you should not assume that you won't be, and your brother should not assume that he will not be prosecuted. If you are in danger, contact CPS. If you are not, I recommend staying at home until that 18th birthday.
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