Once he turns 18, the court loses jurisdiction to prosecute him for runaway which is a status offense (offenses that only apply to minors). However, if he commits any crimes or has any other charges against him (or was on probation), the juvenile court can exercise jurisdiction over him until he... View More

You will go to court. The judge will ask the school system how many days the child has been absent. The judge will ask you why the child was absent and if you have any doctors' notes to excuse the absences. The judge may ask DCS to open a case if they are worried about your ability to care... View More

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

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!

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

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.

yes

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

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.

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.

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

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

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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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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