What is the punishment for removing a minor child from Massachusetts when I have legal and physical custody?
375013
If you have legal & physical custody, I don't think there would be any punishment - unless (possibly) you've got some sort of legal agreement with an ex or other person about NOT being able to leave Massachusettes with the child.\n\nThe USA is a free country, we're free to go wherever we want whenever we want with our children.
989355
Your child is still a child until age 18, and until then your ex can file contempt charges against YOU if your children do not go to him on his legal visitation dates.\n\nYou really ought to encourage them to go.  You'll be the one in legal trouble if they don't go.
373237
every state has different child custody laws. this is what mine are:  i moved from cali to texas when my daughter was 3 months old her father stayed in cali. the order was that i had full physical custody and joint legal custody which means i have her all the time but if anything happened, like god forbid and accident, he would have a say in the matter. now that she is 6 she has to see him at least twice a year for at least a week but that is with me there and we split the cost of airfare. alot can be done and you have a while before you have to worry about that.in my experience i have learned that most family courts are in favor of the mothers and a baby needs his/her mother the first year most. stay strong it will all work out. congratulations!
1535
Your best bet is to talk it over with your parents and your sister to see if you can come to an agreement.  Legally, you can get a lawyer and pursue the status of an emancipated minor, but that takes money and time.  Odds are at 17 you haven't got the money, and by the time it was over you'd be 18 and free anyway.  \n\nNow, if there is actual abuse going on, get in touch with a local child abuse advocacy group or file a complaint with local law enforcement.
1029614
if they harm my child
136865
The answer to this question depends on the state.  In many states registered sex offenders or persons who molested their own child are permitted supervised visitation IF and oly if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child.    There are statutes in some states that specifically state that physical custody cannot be given to such a person.  You best bet to get custody of the child is to show that the parents are unfit, but in most states it is incredibly difficult to take custody of a child when one or both of the parents are actively involved and haven't done anything wrong.  If there truly is an issue you should attempt to have a guardian ad litem appointed for the child, that attorney will argue for what is in the best interest of the child, and the mother and father will have their own attorney or attorneys.   If you are to be involved in the case you will also need your own attorney.  Keep in mind that any frivilous use of the legal system (not that you are, but sometimes court's will see actions as vindictive and frivilous, even if you have the best of intentions) will result in sanctions (extra fees) and payment of the injured party's attorney's fees.  This could get expensive, but if the child is truley in danger it will be worth it.  Good luck.
524812
They can contact the general jurisdiction court of your county.  File the proper paperwork that is provided by the court and a hearing before a judge.  If the judge feels it is the best interest of the minor, they will be emancipated.
757747
Call your attorney, this is not acceptable.She is flagrently disregarding YOUR time with YOUR child.
361151
Sorry but unless you called the police and reported the abuse when it was going on you are out of luck. Joint custody is the way it happens now.\n\nIf he is abusing the child and you can prove it (your word is not good enough) you can obtain supervised visits.\n\nIf you are not married and no custody order is in place move to another state
77727
If the teen has a family member they trust and can go to - then by all means go.  However, make sure that all forms of abuse have been documented (by writing in a journal and that the other family members can corroborate the documentation with photos of the physical abuse.)\n\nThe parents will be charged and it is NOT a civil matter that will be handled in Family Court - it becomes a Federal matter - and Child Abuse charges will be filed against the parents.  In many jurisdictions - the child will be placed with the other family member instead of being "placed within the system" - thus ending up in foster care.\n\nIf there is NO family member available - please call the following number.  It is toll free:\n\n1-800-4-A-Child\n\nMay God be with you and bless you.  Please, if possible, keep me appraised of what happens.
922406
you mean lower the cost of the ticket? You cant, just be glad its a minor and not something your going to go to jail for
867657
Call CPS (child welfare) anonymously and ask them what would be best.  \n\nYou can ask to be emancipated.  Your brother can apply to be your guardian.   You can report your father to the police or call child welfare and then ask to be placed with your brother. \n\n\nHere's info on emancipation.  I also have links below for guardianship and free legal help.\n\nGood luck.  Remember, don't let the bad influences around you drag you down.  Put yourself first and strive for your best.\n\nQuoting Florida Statutes, Section 743.015 - Disabilities of nonage; removal.\n(1) A circuit court has jurisdiction to remove the disabilities of nonage of a minor age 16 or older residing in this state upon a petition filed by the minor's natural or legal guardian or, if there is none, by a guardian ad litem.\n\n(2) The petition shall contain the following information:\n\n(a) The name, address, residence, and date of birth of the minor.\n\n(b) The name, address, and current location of each of the minor's parents, if known.\n\n(c) The name, date of birth, custody, and location of any children born to the minor.\n\n(d) A statement of the minor's character, habits, education, income, and mental capacity for business, and an explanation of how the needs of the minor with respect to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities will be met.\n\n(e) Whether the minor is a party to or the subject of a pending judicial proceeding in this state or any other jurisdiction, or the subject of a judicial order of any description issued in connection with such pending judicial proceeding.\n\n(f) A statement of the reason why the court should remove the disabilities of nonage.\n\n(3) If the petition is filed by the natural or legal guardian, the court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the minor child, and the minor child shall be brought before the court to determine if the interest of the minor will be fully protected by the removal of disabilities of nonage. The attorney ad litem shall represent the child in all related proceedings.\n\n(4) If the petition is filed by the guardian ad litem or next friend, service of process must be perfected on the natural parents.\n\n(5) If both parents are not jointly petitioning the court for the removal of the disabilities of nonage of the minor, service of process must be made upon the nonpetitioning parent. Constructive service of process may be used, provided the petitioning parent makes an actual, diligent search to discover the location of, and provide notice to, the nonpetitioning parent.\n\n(6) The court shall consider the petition and receive such evidence as it deems necessary to rule on the petition. If the court determines that removal of the disabilities of nonage is in the minor's best interest, it shall enter an order to that effect. An order removing the disabilities of nonage shall have the effect of giving the minor the status of an adult for purposes of all criminal and civil laws of the state, and shall authorize the minor thereafter to exercise all of the rights and responsibilities of persons who are 18 years of age or older.\n\n(7) The court shall consider the petition and, if satisfied that the removal of the disabilities is in the minor's best interest, shall remove the disabilities of nonage; and shall authorize the minor to perform all acts that the minor could do if he or she were 18 years of age.\n\n(8) The judgment shall be recorded in the county in which the minor resides, and a certified copy shall be received as evidence of the removal of disabilities of nonage for all matters in all courts.
601680
If she moves without your consent, it's considered kidnapping. He's your child, too, and you have every right to see him when you want. Especially since you have joint custody. Talk to a lawyer about that because since you have a court order to pay and see him, she can't just up and leave. Best of luck to you!! :)
1009435
I really don't get why only one child was removed from your custody and not all three... is the child that was removed, the only natural child of the man who brought the order against you, or are all the children his biological children?  And if you can't afford an attorney, you need to get to your county's Mediator and/or Court Facilitator A.S.A.P.  (look in the phone book's gov't section for your county and check under the Superior Court or Family Court heading for these listings)for help with your case.  Again, good luck!
1012050
yes they can go to court.as long as you can pervide for the the child
976662
Do you have his social security number?? if you do call a child support office in mass. i live in mass and thats the only thing i can think of is call child support IF you have his social security number, if not then im sorry. Good luck
929471
There are many things they can and are charged with, depending on where they are arrested. The most common charge for a situation like that is called Solicition of a Minor for Illicit Purposes.\n\nAny charges on top of that would depend on how much they did before showing up to the house. There could be Transmission of Obscene Matter to a Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency/Dependency of a Minor, Attempting Sexual Contact with a Child, etc. The names of these charges would change a little based on individual state laws. But just about anywhere, these are all felonies. If you get hit for just one of them, there is a chance the judge will be lenient. But the more of them you have, the longer the sentence will be.\n\nIt's possible that a really good, high-priced lawyer could get one or two of the charges reduced or dropped. But without the large amount of money that would require, there is a very real chance of a very long prison term.