1. Laws for Minors

2. Contracts – minors may avoid contracts; adults are bound by law to the contracts they enter. Juvenile delinquent- an underage person that is kept apart from adult inmates and goes through the juvenile court. A minor may be transferred to adult court for a serious crime

3. If a minor commit torts and therefore injures another person or property, they are usually liable for the loss A guardian acts in place of the parent and may perform a special service, such as suing for the minor. Annulment – judicial declaration that a marriage never existed. Minors retain their constitutional rights

4. Minors have special employment laws regarding: At what age they may work Hours that may work Kinds of work they may do A work permit must be received before getting a job. These laws create the best legal environment for the minors growth.

5. Society gives parents legal control over their children provided they do not abuse it. Parents have authority to: Restrain their children Administer reasonable punishment Compel (force) obedience to reasonable directions Determine the residence of their children Services of minors belong to their parents and these rights continue until the child reaches majority or until parents give up or are denied their right by court order

6. The income a child earns outside the home legally belongs to the parents Parents also have duties to: protect and take care of children provide food, clothing, and shelter according to the parents’ financial means to see that children are educated Parents may be subjected to legal punishment for failure to take care of their children through neglect, desertion, or child abuse.

7. Parents must properly supervise their minor children -if damage to others results from the lack of this supervision, parents may be subject to a limited dollar amount of liability. If parents divorce or legally separate, the custody is awarded to the parent best qualified to fulfill the child’s day-to-day needs. Adoption- allows the parents to relinquish all rights and free themselves of all duties by giving their children to other adults. Emancipation – parents surrender responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a minor child as well as claim’s for the child’s earnings.

8. Truants – minors who do not attend school. Parents can be fined or jailed for failing to see their child attends school. Possibly charged with neglect. School personal must provide reasonable supervision to assure the physical safety of students and may be held liable if a student if a student is injured. At school rules prohibiting extreme dress or personal grooming must be shown to be “a material and substantial disruption” of the work of the school.

9. School administration has the power to: Make the rules and decisions determining school regulations. Decide curriculum matters control of school property School delegate to student government some responsibilities to allow students to learn to: Compromise Resolve conflict

10. Due Process in the form of a notice and a hearing is required before drastic disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion can take place. A disruptive student may be temporarily barred from classes and sent home without delay-when a student’s continued presence poses a danger to persons or to property or when it threatens to disrupt the academic process and thereby the future chances of the students at the school

11. Drivers are all generally treated as adults. Regardless of their age, the minor may hold the title to a motorized vehicle To operate a vehicle on a public road one must: Have an up-to-date license on the vehicle and proof of registration displayed The driver must demonstrate proof of ability to pay at least a minimum amount for damage if at fault in an auto accident—financial responsibility—done so by purchasing insurance. Driver must have a valid driver’s license. Anyone who fails to exercise reasonable care, unreasonably interferes with the use of public roads by others, or deliberately disregards their own safety may be prosecuted for reckless driving.

12. The state may take away driving privileges for the following reasons: 1. Driving a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 2. Killing someone due to negligent driving 3. Committing a felony while using a car 4. Repeatedly violating traffic ordinances or regulations To prevent legal difficulties remember the following: Do not leave the scene of an accident unless it is necessary to seek medical treatment Exchange id’s and insurance info. with other drivers. Do not say anything or sign any statement of responsibility until discussing the matter with your insurance agent or an attorney.