Laws vary by state, but running away is not considered a crime here in Florida. No law is being broken.

You know there's how things work and then there's how things WOULD work. As I think about how it would work I can't imagine the judge actually sentencing him to jail, and it's unlikely any law was broken. The cop may be just trying to scare him. More likely social service will get involved and interview all people involved. What happens after that depends on the circumstances. If there's abuse in the home he could be taken to another home to live with someone else. But it was the mother's decision to take him to the police station so it's likely there's something wrong with the son and he might really just need help. Maybe he's abusing drugs. Overall I just need to know a lot more before I speculate.

I can not immagine a 17yo being charged with running away even if it is a crime! He is 17! An ADULT! Anougher fine example of the land of the (not so) free!

Kids who run away are often put in juvenile detention, but the actual charge is usually truancy (not running away from home).

If it is a crime where you live, than yes he can be charged. At 17, at least in the US, you are still forced to live at your residence that your guardian does. Meaning if he runs away, especially if this is not a first offense, AND there is a law there, he can go to jail. However, he can fight it in his court hearing and the jail might just have been to scare the kid from not running away again.

my son i 6yr old and has run away from his mothers house 4times this week,she drinks all the time ,he sais he hates it there,but i need to work 6nights a week,need help

I THINK she can have him charged as an unruly child ... BUT; by being so close to 18 ; he could ask to come stay with YOU .... IF you showed up at the hearing and supported him . At 17, I doubt if he will go to Juvie for a FIRST offense .. maybe probation for a FIRST offense .

Have you considered going for custody? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I’ve been a Father’s Rights Advocate for 20 years. Many think the courts are rigged against dads, but in reality, it is more about attorneys unwilling or lacking the knowledge to truly fight for the father's rights. This is why it is important to learn how to interview and hire the right attorney. It is also important to do as much as possible on your own and not pay the attorney to do it. Part of the problem with getting your rights knowing what to do to prove your case, and how to remind the judge of their responsibilities. Let me start with the judge. Always take people with you to court who are not there to testify. Make sure they are sitting where the judge can see them, each equipped with a tablet and pen to take notes. It’s best to use a Court Watch Form designed for this purpose. I have one in the manual at Dads House. If the judge is not doing his job, using the info from this form, you can, appeal, and/or get the judge sanctioned and removed from the case. You file a complaint with the State Supreme Court at your state capital. Start keeping a daily journal of all your activities. The most common way to prevent a father from getting his rights through the courts is a false allegation, usually sexual. Over 60% of divorcing father are accused of child sexual abuse, of which only 4% are found to have any relevance, but there are no penalties for doing so. A daily journal is your number one piece of evidence in court and you can even refer to it while on the stand. Gather evidence. Check the site below to see if it is illegal to record conversations without the other person knowing. If your state does not have a law either way, than it defaults to the federal ruling which says one person in a conversation must know they are being recorded. You’re that one person. In Missouri it is specifically legal, in Kansas there is no mention either way. If you live in two different states, and one has a law against it, than it applies when the call originates from within that state, Now, you can't just record, you also have to transcribe it into the daily journal. If you want to learn how to do all this go to Dads House in Yahoo Groups. Upon joining, you will receive a link for downloading a 200 page educational manual that can teach you what you need to know. Take the time to learn what you can and should do. Bird Nest Custody http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GiveKidsAChoice/ Can We Tape http://www.rcfp.org/taping/ Dads House http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DadsHouse/ Fathers & Families http://www.fathersandfamilies.org/ THE FATHERLESS GENERATION http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZmMffsIl9M Fathers Rights: The Movie http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=27395259 Parental Alienation Syndrome http://www.parentalalienation.org/