Can a seventeen year old move out?

[Acrushedteen]

I will be 17 in about 2 weeks. I can't take being in my house anymore. I try my best to stay on my parents side, but I get bashed in the end. I'm tired of the emotional abuse and I can't take it much longer before I completely lose myself. I have some where safe to go where I wold have my own room and be provided for. I'm in my final year of high school. I will get a job if I have too. At this point I would do anything to get out of my house. I live with my mother in SC and my father lives in Tennesee and no longer speaks to me as of a couple months ago. I feel alone with noone to talk to about anything. My mom was diagnosed with bipolar several years ago, but refuses to take medication for it, so she takes all the feelings she gets out on me. I still love my parents, I just can't deal with the hurt and I'm tired of crying myself to sleep every night. My mom says she has talked to the lawyer who gave her custody of me 6 years ago and said that they told her I couldn't leave and if I tried they would send me to Tennesee with my father. I talked to my school police officer and he said in my situation I could leave. I am so confused. My parents will act like they are okay with it and then lie to me. My mom is also a compulsive liar so I really need to know answers. At this point I'm thinking about leaving in the middle of the night on my birthday. Also, she would know where I'm staying. Please help me. I will do anything at this point. I can't take another year of this.

 

[mightymoose]

If you leave without permission you will be reported as a runaway and spend all of 17 as a delinquent. The officer who told you to leave told you wrong. Don't do anything without mom's permission.
Otherwise, if you feel there is legitimate abuse or neglect taking place, seek the help of social services.
You aren't likely experiencing anything different than most 17 year olds do... don't burn bridges with your family.

 

[Acrushedteen]

I know someone who recently left home also and she said the cops called her after her mother reporting her and told her they put her as a runaway, but also told her how to get it taken off of her record or something like that. Is it possible this is what would also happen to me. Also, is it possible that my mom is lying about the lawyer?

 

[shrinkmaster]

I know someone who recently left home also and she said the cops called her after her mother reporting her and told her they put her as a runaway, but also told her how to get it taken off of her record or something like that. Is it possible this is what would also happen to me. Also, is it possible that my mom is lying about the lawyer?

So you hang out with other runaways and are using them for legal advice?

 

[cbg]

The correct legal answer is:

If you have your parents permission to move out, you can. If you do not have your parent's permission to move out, you cannot.

Until you are 18, (not 17 - 18) and not one minute younger, you live where your parents say you live.