Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in Washington
Paying for Sons Crimes
my son stole a car 2 months before 18 bday while living with a friend with our consent. Judge agreed that we weren't resp.for hes damages to said car since he was not in our home. Now a second car has come out blue months later claiming damage and first sent son a bill. Now us and threatning to suspend my licences. They have not sent us proof that he damaged the car only that its damaged. Son still doesn't live with us. Are we responsible for the debt.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Paying for Sons Crimes
The law, which you are apparently already familiar with, RCW 4.24.190 http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?section=4.24.190&fuseaction=section says you are only responsible if the child is living in your home and the child acts wilfully or maliciously.
If he did something to the other people when he was out of your home, you should have nothing to worry about.
You didn't make it clear, but did they say when and where it happened? Before you tell them your child was not in the home, find out when it was supposed to have happened. As soon as you learn, let them know he was not living in the home.
If he was in the home when it happened, or if you allowed him to use your car, you may be liable under what is called the family car doctrine or under other negligence theories.
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