Can your parents call the police or take you to court if you move out at 17 in Texas?

Answer 1

Being Forced HomeThe parents can file a petition with Superior Court to have an order of custodial rights granted, if it is granted they can present the order to local law enforcement. Once the police have been served with the order they can take the minor into custody, and either return them to the parents or to a juvenile facility to await a court hearing.

Here is more input:

• When i was 16 i ranaway, and yes i was filed as a runaway and had to go home BUT my mother did speak DIRECTLY to a cop and he said that if i was 17 there was nothing he could do to MAKE me go home, OR file me as a runaway. He couldn't do either. The only thing is you DO have to be attending school. and at least call your parents and tell them that you are okay if that's what the cop decides.

• There may be a loophole for 17-year-olds in Texas. Apparently if they are supporting themselves Texas police won't generally force a 17-year-old to go home.

Answer 2

No. There is no "loophole" in the law, that is simply a misinterpretation of the law by some minors and unfortunately some law enforcement personnel. The law states that a person who is at least 17 years of age will not be taken into custody by local authorities unless said person commits a crime or a court order is issued to have them returned to their custodial parent or legal guardian. For a parent to obtain such an order is quite simple, inexpensive and quickly done. The other option the parent has is to request the court to deem the minor "incorrigible" and remand he or she into the custody of juvenile authorities.