Can a 17 year old go to jail?

Asked by: Prof. David Wilkinson  |  Last update: July 7, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (41 votes)

Approximately 10,000 minors under the age of 18 are housed in jails and prisons intended for adult offenders and juveniles make up 1,200 of the 1.5 million people imprisoned in state and federal detention facilities.

What is the youngest age to go to jail?

There is no minimum age for criminal responsibility. Children below age 14 can only face incarceration if they are proven to have enough discernment between right and wrong. Incarceration starting at age 14. Other measures applied for ages 12–13.

Is a 17 year old an adult in Texas?

Generally, Texas law considers an adult to be 18 years old or older. The law may also include definitions for "child" or "juvenile" throughout.

Can 17 year olds be charged as adults?

California law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to be tried as adults instead of having their cases handled by the juvenile court system, but only under certain circumstances. It is not automatic. And the prosecutor must have strong evidence and arguments for a judge to consider trying a juvenile as an adult.

Is 17 a juvenile in Texas?

In Texas, a JUVENILE is defined legally as a person who was at least 10 years old but not yet 17 at the time he or she committed an act defined as “delinquent conduct” or “conduct in need of supervision.”

Ex-Nassau County sergeant sentenced to 17+ years for federal drug crimes

16 related questions found

In what states is 17 a minor?

States where the age of consent is 17 (7): Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Wyoming. States where the age of consent is 18 (12): Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

What can you do once you turn 17?

You can get a job you can continue with school. Get yourself some friends have some fun without doing anything illegal. Start planning your life accordingly. Your still consider a child until your 18.

Can parents control a 17 year old?

PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

A parent has both the legal right and the duty to control their 16- or 17-year old children, unless they are emancipated.

How long can a juvenile be detained in Texas?

Once the arrested child reaches the juvenile detention facility, Texas laws dictate that they are still not able to be kept there indefinitely until the juvenile court date. Every 10 days the child must appear before the court for another detention hearing to prove that their continued detention is still necessary.

Can an adult press charges on a 17 year old?

Only a prosecutor can press criminal charges. Individuals do not do so. Instead, they would report to matter to police would investigate and make recommendations for charges to the prosecutor.

Can I legally move out at 17 in Texas?

Youth must show they can take care of themselves financially, can make their own decisions, and can prove that being emancipated from their parents is in their best interests. Typically, you need to be 16 or 17 years old to become emancipated from a parent in Texas.

Does a parent have to go to court with a 17 year old?

You could go alone. But it may look better to the judge if one or both parents are with you. Remember that the judge has the discretion to take your license if you are found to have acted in a willful manner for certain offenses.

What if my 17 year old wants to move out?

Most 17 year olds have the means to move out, but it is not actually legal to do so without becoming emancipated. At the age of 17, your parents or legal guardians are still responsible for you and have to pay your expenses and provide you with accommodation.

At what age does a child become morally responsible for his actions?

To the legal system, the answer is clear: children have the requisite moral sense--the ability to tell right from wrong--by age 7 to 15, depending on which state they live in, and so can be held responsible for their actions.

What age is a minor in the USA?

In the United States, a minor is any individual under the specified “ age of majority ” for their state or territory., All states define an age of majority, which is usually set at 18, but states like Indiana and Mississippi set it at 21, while in Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, or Nebraska, the age of majority is 19.

Who is the youngest person to be tried as an adult?

Curtis Fairchild Jones (born May 31, 1986, in Alabama), now a Christian minister, was, aged twelve, the youngest murder defendant in the United States to face trial as an adult. He and his 13-year-old sister Catherine killed his father's girlfriend in 1999 with a stolen pistol.

Can you go to jail at 17 in Texas?

In Texas, 17-year-olds who are arrested are automatically sent to the adult justice system. Texas is one of only three states left to treat these teens as adults for criminal justice purposes1 – removing their parents from the court process, and exposing kids to confinement in adult jails.

Is 17 considered a minor in Texas?

Like many other states, Texas recognizes 18 as the "age of majority." This is the age when residents are legally considered adults. Prior to that age, they are considered "minors."

Can you bail out of juvenile in Texas?

Texas Juvenile Detention & Juvenile Justice

You cannot bail your child out of jail in these cases. The court will hold detention hearings and it is the judge alone who decides whether your child will remain detained.

What can I do if my 17 year old refuses to come home?

These include:
  1. Use a graduated system to rectify the situation.
  2. Open up a reasonable line of communication with the noncustodial parent.
  3. Ascertain why the teen does not want to come home.
  4. Consider the age of the teen and the possibility for a change.
  5. Involve law enforcement.
  6. Seek a court order.
  7. Seek legal assistance.

Can my parents tell me what to do at 17?

Parents Get to Make the Rules in Their Home

The truth is, no matter how old your child, you have the right to make and enforce the rules of your house.

How much freedom should a 17 year old have?

Give freedom in increments: It can be overwhelming to a teen to suddenly lift all their boundaries; they don't know how to handle it and it can lead them to partaking in risky behavior. Instead, allow them small freedoms and see how they react before adding more freedom.

What rights do I get at 17?

At 17
  • You can hold a driver's licence and apply for a motorcycle licence.
  • You can be interviewed by the police without an appropriate adult being present.
  • A care order can no longer be made on you.
  • You can register to vote. ( But you can't vote until you're 18)

Why is 17 a special age?

Transitional period. A lot of teenagers see the age of 17 as a period where they transition into young adulthood. It's often where they will experience growth, such as by developing emotional intelligence as they go through different life experiences, such as going to college or getting their first apartment.

What happens to you at age 17?

Turning 17 represents an interesting fork in the road for many teens. Some of them take off on a smooth path toward adulthood. They become increasingly responsible and they are eager to become independent. Others, however, may be feeling less confident about the realities of pending adulthood.