My son ran away from his mother's house and she made him come home. She took him to the police station, now he has a court hearing, and the cop said he is going to go to jail. He is 17, can he go to jail for running away?

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.

Have you considered going for custody?

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I’ve been a Father’s Rights Advocate for 20 years.

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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.

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Parental Alienation Syndrome
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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

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.

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

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

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!