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Tennessee Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: I’m 18 and still in high school can my parents call me a run away if I want to move out and send me to jail ?

I’m trying to move in with a friend, i simply told them I was going to move in with them, me and my parents got into a big fight and my dad said “if you leave this house I’m calling the police and turning you in as a run away “ every time I tried to leave they would push me back and say the... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Dec 21, 2017

You have to be under 18 to be a runaway. You are legally capable of moving wherever you like unless your parents have conservatorship or guardianship over you. Your parents, however, can refuse to support you. When you leave, you cannot take anything with you that might reasonably belong to your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can I leave the house at 16 if my parents are abusing me?

My mom is extremely abusive, and I'm always worried she's going to snap and hurt me one day. I have a job and go to school, so I'm almost never home anyways. If I stayed with a friend for a bit, would I get in trouble or would they be able to force me home even if they haven't... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Dec 21, 2017

If you have been abused or neglected, you should tell a counselor or adult you trust and report it to DCS. If your parents choose to report you as a runaway, they can. The law requires that you obey your parents until you turn 18--unless a court says otherwise. Best of luck!

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I'm 18 can my 17yr old gf come live with me if something happened to the parent she lives with / can I file to have her

I'm 18 and my gf will be 17 in 3 months in the event that her she lost her mother does she have the choice to come live with me I have a home and stable job and if not can I petition the court for her to come live with me ?

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Nov 28, 2017

Probably not, I doubt that any judge would let a minor ( anyone under age 18) reside with an 18 year old ( a very young adult) who is not related to the minor. I suspect your girlfriend has some distant family somewhere that would accept her and the courts will favor family over an unrelated... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I'm 18 and still on juvenile probation until April 1st of 2018. I'm planning on moving out, will this cause any issues?

I am graduated from high school and my mom is okay with me moving out. I have a place to stay and will be able to cover rent and pay for the things that I need.

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Dec 21, 2017

You need to check with your probation officer before you move out. He or she will want to know where you are moving and check it out to make sure it is an appropriate place for you to live.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: If I get a divorce at 16 am I still emancipated?
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Nov 8, 2017

yes

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Landlord - Tenant for Tennessee on
Q: Father of 19 year old daughter living at home. Do both parents of the home have to agree to evict the adult child?

19 year old daughter living with parents. Father insists she either works or furthers her education while at home. Non working Mother of the home will not enforce or agree to evict. What legal remedies does the working Father have? Father is the sole provider for the household. Financially... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Nov 6, 2017

There is no "easy" answer. If both spouses own the home, then permission from EITHER is sufficient to allow the guest to continue to stay ( the daughter is not a "tenant" as in a lease unless they are paying rent, and you indicate that is no the case). Ultimately, you may have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: My son was assaulted on school grounds but when I go to file for assult I was asked for 77$ to file

Is it right for the victim to be charged to file charges against the offender

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Dec 21, 2017

Did you report it to the police? If they file, they are not charged. No, it is not right at all. There may be a way to have the alleged perpetrator pay for the filing fee if he is found guilty.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I am 17 and have been recently been adopted. I will be 18 in 8 months. Could I legally move out?
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Oct 20, 2017

No, under Tennessee law, you are not an adult until you reach age 18, and until that age you are subject to juvenile court jurisdiction for failure to obey your parents as an "unruly' child.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Contracts and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: If my parents bought me a bedroom suite as a gift is it legally mine?

My parents bought me a bedroom suite for my birthday about 7 years ago. I was going to get it from their house (where I haven't used it for 1 year) and just wanted to know if I could legally take it.

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Oct 16, 2017

I suspect not, but there is clearly more information needed to answer this accurately, and there are clearly more things involved than you have shared in this question. There is apparently some issue with your relationship with your parents since if it was clearly your property, you could simply... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I have had my son since I cut his cord. The birth mother ask me to take him and she wanted to sign her rights away

She does not know who the father was and has not seen my son in 19 months has let his state insurance end and been in and out of rehab. I am in the state of Tennessee how can I get emergency termination of parental rights and be granted soul custody of him so I can get his insurance and catch up... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Sep 7, 2017

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer and this is a terrible situation for you. My best advice is to consult an experienced adoption attorney immediately. if you have not already done so, you should start looking foe the biological mother ( you will want to find her so she can either sign papers... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: My 16 year old daughter and boyfriend gets pulled over for window tint? cops searched vehicle!! I have a few questions

My daughters boyfriends car broke down and she picked him up from work, he works 3pm-11:30pm, and yes I know the law on curfew for her being 16. But Cookeville City pulled them over, Her boyfriend is 18, he was driving, but the reason the cop said he pulled them over was the windows looked to dark... View More

William C. Head
William C. Head pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 1, 2017

You daughter's boyfriend needs to speak with Mr. Marcos Garza. He is a criminal law attorney, and can either help, or send you to another attorney. 865-540-8300. If she was arrested, she may need a separate lawyer.

Tell Mr. Garza that William Head referred you.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: 16 yr daughter stays with a friend for the weekend and now won't come home. What can we do? Tennessee state.
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Aug 7, 2017

File a petition in juvenile court to have her deemed "unruly" -she will then be subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court who can take her into custody if she refuses to obey authority.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: Will my brother go to jail if he hits me he is about to turn 18 and I was wondering. If I call the cops

I'm 14 years old and I wa wondering if my old brother beats on me and punches me and makes me bleed he is my half brother by the way and I want wondering if he could go to jail he is almost 18 under a couple of months.So can he go to jail if I call the cops?

Mr. William Ray Glasgow
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
answered on May 26, 2017

You need to tell an adult what is happening. IF your parents won't listen, tell a teacher, or coach, an adult at church, or the parent of a friend. Yes, you can call the police and if they find you have been beaten they will likely take action now. There is no reason to wait until he is 18.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it illegal for a teenager under the age of 18 to hit (punch/slap) an adult in the state of Tennessee?

What are the legal issues or discipline if the teen does hit the adult?

Mr. William Ray Glasgow
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
answered on May 15, 2017

Yes. Unless it is self-defense. It is an assault and depending on the circumstances, one could be tried as an adult and be required to serve up to 11 months 29 days for a misdemeanor, 3 to 6 years for a felony. As a juvenile you be committed to the Department of Children's Services and placed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: mY SON IN LAW IS TALKING TO A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL FROM WORK AT 3AM IN THE MORNING IS THIS LEGAL IN tN

hE HAS A WORK REALTIONSHIP

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on May 8, 2017

Its not illegal to talk. You don't specify, but apparently the son in law is older than her? I also assume they are not talking about work or some other legitimate issue. I would try to find out her identity so her parents could be informed of what the 17 year old is doing. Your daughter ought... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: So im divorced and My son want to go to someone house at my house. I was wondering can his mom stop him from going.
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on May 5, 2017

Your question is unclear- but if I understand it, probably yes, it sounds like your son is a minor and your wife is primary residential parent. That means the boy is subject to parental authority. Once he is 18, he can do what he wants, but while he is a minor, the law says he must obey his parents... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: if I left home without permission wat can I do to take my new born baby with me considering I've graduated already

I'm in college now and I also do have somewhere to live is there any way I can have my child with me and not with my parent

Mr. William Ray Glasgow
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
answered on Apr 20, 2017

Its your child, and the father's. It is not your parents. Neither your parent nor anyone else can keep your child from you without a court order in Tennessee. I am not licensed in other states and cannot comment as to what the law is anywhere but in Tennessee.

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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: can i refuse a drug test for juvenile court if im not fightn them taking custody of my son
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
answered on Apr 20, 2017

Yes, but it will likely be presumed that if you took the test it would be positive.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I'm 16, and I'm pregnant. My parents let me leave with my boyfriend, I'm moving in with my friends parents.

I'm 16, and I'm pregnant. My parents let me leave with my boyfriend, my friend emily, and her boyfriend, and we moved in with Emily's parents. The problem I have is that I'm not sure how to go about school and doctors and my parent's want to know what we should do.

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Apr 10, 2017

You can't go to school while obviously pregnant. Most school systems have "home bound" programs ( you are not the first person to need this service). Contact the principal or girls advisor at you school and explain that you are pregnant. They will direct you about what you can do.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: juvenile state probation / transfer to online school

My 17 year daughter is on state probation. We live in Williamson County. I want to withdraw her from her current school and enroll her in an accredited online school to graduate. Is there any reason being on probation would prevent this?

Mr. William Ray Glasgow
Mr. William Ray Glasgow
answered on Apr 20, 2017

Talk to the probation officer. It may or may not be something they would agree is appropriate. Don't risk it, but shouldn't be a problem unless the child is truant or failing.

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