is the parents parents financially responsible for impound when kid steals car

[sherrif]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? missouri.
my minor child, along with a friend , took/stole another kids car. (which he left the keys in) there is some minor damage to the car from hitting a mailbox. yes, my son was very wrong for this and is going to juvenile hall for it. what i need to know is if i am responsible for the impound and repair bill? or is it the owners for only carrying liability insurance?

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? missouri.
my minor child, along with a friend , took/stole another kids car. (which he left the keys in) there is some minor damage to the car from hitting a mailbox. yes, my son was very wrong for this and is going to juvenile hall for it. what i need to know is if i am responsible for the impound and repair bill? or is it the owners for only carrying liability insurance?

How old is the minor child? Has minor child had behavioral or legal trouble in the past? If yes, please clarify.
Thanks

 

[sherrif]

He is 15 . Yes he has had prior problems.This is the 1st actual LEGAL issues tho. Last yr he had to go to a psych hosp for 30 days and then to a group home for 30 days due to behavior problems. It seems no matter howI try or what i do he gets worse. 3 wks ago he had snuck outta my house, took my 4whlr joy riding , and got caught / brought home by the law. I had asked our juvenile officer then to help me try to get him some help. He then put him on "unofficial probation". I told said officer that I was unable to control him. Now this has happened. He hasn't had his court date yet, but the Juvenile is recommending 2 yrs in detention. I am completely unable to pay these fees . The owners will not stop harassing me about it . Therefore I am seeking advice/answers. Is the parent financially responsible for their minor children's actions.

 

[cyjeff]

Actually, the child is. Since the child is your responsibility, his burden will become yours.

So yes, you are on the hook for the repair and impound.

Sell Junior's stuff. He won't be needing it.

 

[nextwife]

And when he gets out, put him to work around the house or neighborhood earning money to pay you back.

 

[Antigone*]

Actually, the child is. Since the child is your responsibility, his burden will become yours.

So yes, you are on the hook for the repair and impound.

Sell Junior's stuff. He won't be needing it.

Wholeheartedly agreed.

 

[xylene]

Look, please don't take this the wrong way.

I is your 4 wheeler part of your job or how you provide for family?

I mean it is hard to hear about an expensive vehicle from someone who claims not to have means without asking.

 

[mistoffolees]

Actually, the child is. Since the child is your responsibility, his burden will become yours.

So yes, you are on the hook for the repair and impound.

Sell Junior's stuff. He won't be needing it.

OP can also see if his auto insurance will cover it. It may or may not. More importantly, if the damage was minor, I'd advise against filing a claim - it will cost more in the long run than just paying for the damage.

 

[Zigner]

OP can also see if his auto insurance will cover it. It may or may not. More importantly, if the damage was minor, I'd advise against filing a claim - it will cost more in the long run than just paying for the damage.

Insurance isn't going to cover damages caused during the commission of the crime of auto theft.

 

[cyjeff]

Insurance isn't going to cover damages caused during the commission of the crime of auto theft.

Actually, the insurance company could provide funds to make the victims whole if those victims were insured against this type of theft.

Having said that, all that means is that the insurance company would demand payment from the OP instead of the victims.

OP, you seem to think that if the insurance company pays out the money that the matter is closed. It is not.

Insurance companies HATE paying out money... and they will look for ways to get that money back.

 

[Just Blue]

He is 15 . Yes he has had prior problems.This is the 1st actual LEGAL issues tho. Last yr he had to go to a psych hosp for 30 days and then to a group home for 30 days due to behavior problems. It seems no matter howI try or what i do he gets worse. 3 wks ago he had snuck outta my house, took my 4whlr joy riding , and got caught / brought home by the law. I had asked our juvenile officer then to help me try to get him some help. He then put him on "unofficial probation". I told said officer that I was unable to control him. Now this has happened. He hasn't had his court date yet, but the Juvenile is recommending 2 yrs in detention. I am completely unable to pay these fees . The owners will not stop harassing me about it . Therefore I am seeking advice/answers. Is the parent financially responsible for their minor children's actions.

In this case I would say yes. But feel free to consult with an attorney that deals with minors that haven't been raised properly.

 

[xylene]

But feel free to consult with an attorney that deals with minors that haven't been raised properly.

I may have pointed out the posters financial irresponsibility. That doesn't mean that the boy's psychiatric problems are from parenting. They could be genetic or idiopathic.

 

[Just Blue]

I may have pointed out the posters financial irresponsibility. That doesn't mean that the boy's psychiatric problems are from parenting. They could be genetic or idiopathic.

I agree. But Mother had "notice" that her child was "out of control". It was her DUTY to deal with it. This was not a new psych issue that she could not foresee. Parenting a child means dealing with current and foreseeable issues. Preventing, within ones ability, future issues. If she was NOT able to do so, for whatever reason, there are agencies that will.

 

[xylene]

If she was NOT able to do so, for whatever reason, there are agencies that will.

She asked for and was denied a PINS (or the Missouri equivalent) and was given 'unofficial' probation.

Sounds like there is a state failure. Doesn't absolve the bill, but I do think mom was trying with a child with severe behavioral and psych issues.

 

[Just Blue]

She asked for and was denied a PINS (or the Missouri equivalent) and was given 'unofficial' probation.

Sounds like there is a state failure. Doesn't absolve the bill, but I do think mom was trying with a child with severe behavioral and psych issues.

There were still other options.