Q: Would I be able to work as a"runaway" and are my parents able to prevent me from working in Oregon?
I live in Oregon and I'm seventeen. I graduated early a few months ago, I have a full time job and my birthday is in September. This is my first time living in Oregon with this parent because I moved in after I graduated and I was a resident at Job corps for a year before that. It's just so different from what I'm used to and there's a big lack of consideration in a lot of areas. There's really no reason other then me being seventeen to stay at home. Other then that, I'm working, not in school and I've been used to being independent from my parents for a while now. My parent says they would " have to" report me as a runaway.
A: You are technically not able to commit to any legally binding agreements until you turn age 18 unless you get emancipated by a court proceeding. It probably isn't worth the time and money to file for an emancipation when you are only months away from turning 18. I suppose you could move out and maybe go live with friends and your parent could call the police. Generally speaking the police don't drag teenagers home because they know it is a waste of time. The police could charge your friends where you live with custodial interference but even that is tricky because they have to prove that your friends actually interfered. Probably your biggest hurdle is that you can't legally sign a contract so you will be blocked from getting things that you need to live independently. I would say just deal with it for a few months. Being patient is a sign of maturity. I would also advise you that if you want to survive in this life you are going to need to continue your education either by going to college or by going to a trade school. Oregon has a program that will give you free tuition for a two year college education so don't be a fool and not use this valuable opportunity!
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
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