Education for Justice                          FACT SHEET Y-1                                         Fall 2007

 

YOUR RIGHTS WITH YOUR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS

 

In Minnesota, parents and guardians must care for and can control their children until they turn 18.  Parents can make reasonable rules.  You have to follow the rules your parents set.  You have the right to expect your parents to keep you safe and take care of you.

 

REASONABLE RULES

Your parents can set rules like:

·            When you must be home

·            Where you may go

·            Who you spend time with

·            That you go to school

·            That you do chores at home

·            Whether you can have a job

·            Whether you can go to after-school programs like

             sports or clubs

 

REASONABLE FORCE

Parents can use reasonable force to restrain or correct their child.  If you are being physically hit or threatened by someone, please call your legal aid office.

 

ILLEGAL ACTS

 It is illegal for parents to:

  • Use or threaten unreasonable force or cruel discipline
  • Not give a child needed food, clothes, shelter, health care, or supervision proper to the child’s age on purpose
  • Know about and allow physical or sexual abuse of a child
  • Let a child be in a harmful situation on purpose
  • Know about and let their child be where anyone sells or has illegal drugs

 

  • Let their child live in a harmful or dangerous place
  • Abandon their child

 

 LEAVING HOME

Usually you can’t move away from home unless:

  • Your parents agree to it
  • You marry
  • You turn 18
  • You join the military, or
  • A court allows you to

 

If your parents abuse or neglect you, call for help!

 

HOW TO GET HELP

Does your parent or guardian abuse or neglect you physically, emotionally, or sexually?  Do they let others abuse you?  If so, you can get help from the court, the county child protection office or your legal aid office.  Call First Call for Help, statewide, at 211 (or 651-291-0211 from a cell phone) for the numbers in your area.

 

If you are hurt or in immediate danger, call 911.

 

HELP FOR KIDS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY

In an emergency, call 911.  For non-emergencies, call Children and Family Services at (612) 348-3552 to report abuse or neglect.  If you have questions or if the county doesn’t give you the help you need, call the Youth Law Project at (612) 334-5970.

 

 

 

 

Minneapolis Legal Aid – CLE

MN Legal Services Coalition

2324 University Avenue W. – Suite 101B

St. Paul, MN 55114

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