If you tell your son to get out at 17 years of age and he does something illeagal are you still responsible?

"There is a political movement for greater parental accountability following of a number of highly publicised violent crimes committed by children. While all US states allow parents to be sued for the various actions of their children, the idea of criminal legislation to enable the prosecution of adults for “neglectful” parenting is relatively new. For example, a number of states have enacted or proposed laws that will:
- automatically hold parents financially responsible for all expenses associated with a second false bomb threat or 911 call made by a child;
- impose a prison term of up to 18 months and order payment of restitution to any victims if the child commits a serious crime;
- imposes a fine and/or a prison term if a child uses a gun owned by the parent to commit a crime
- fine and/or imprison parents whose children fail to attend school or skip school more than 10 times in a year.

Such legislation is constitutionally problematic in that it is often both broad and vague, and may very well infringe upon the privacy of the family. The sponsors of these laws argue that parental delinquency is usually the cause of the juvenile delinquency, but opponents argue that there is little evidence to support the claim that youth crime is caused by “bad parenting” and that there are many other social, cultural and economic causes that should be addressed. Opponents argue that the increased work hours and multiple jobs that a growing number of parents must take to provide for their families basic needs decreases their ability to supervise their child(ren), thus creating an injustice with regard to the parents culpability in the child's action. In 1988 California enacted the Street Terrorism and Prevention Act, which provides for prison sentences of up to one year and fines up to $2,500 for parents who “grossly” or “culpably” deviate from the “normal” standards of supervision. The California Supreme Court later upheld the constitutionality of this Act."
Source and further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_responsibility_(criminal%29


2) "While some States impose criminal liability on parents of delinquent youth, many more have enacted less stringent types of parental responsibility laws in the past 2 years. For example, some accountability initiatives require increased parental involvement in juvenile proceedings. Recent initiatives in Kansas, Michigan, and Texas require parents to attend the hearings of children adjudicated delinquent or face contempt charges. New legislation in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia amends existing laws to require parents to pay the court costs associated with these proceedings."
Source and further information:
http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/pubs/reform/ch2_d.html

Further information:
http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/parent-liability-child-s-act

This is in Alabama...so I just need to call my district attorney?

Yes, if that is the law in your state.

Not in Texas. Here a person is considered an adult if he or she commits a crime. Check with the district attorney in your state to be sure.