Emancipation of minors a tricky business

By Dan Jennings

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 | 3:24 p.m.

Lately, I have fielded many questions from juveniles and adults concerning emancipation of minors. My guess is that a young person acquired a bit of knowledge and believes that emancipation is a quick and easy ticket to "freedom."

Emancipation will "free" a minor from the control of their parents or guardians, and likewise release the parents or guardians of their parental responsibilities, but the minor must meet strict and specific requirements. It is rarely granted.

Emancipation merely allows a minor to enter into contractual agreements and be considered of lawful age. Sorry, this lawful age does not include the freedom to consume alcoholic beverages. You still have to wait until you're 21.

(I can understand the eagerness to be "free." We adults certainly enjoy our work schedules, first and second mortgages, yard work, car payments, car insurance premiums and house cleaning.)

A minor is any child who has not reached the age of majority. In Nevada, this is 18 years of age.

Nevada Revised Statue (NRS) 129.080 states that, "any minor who is at least 16 years of age, who is married or living apart from his parents or legal guardian, and who is a resident of the county, may petition the juvenile court of that county for a decree of emancipation."

The requirements for a petition for emancipation can be found in NRS 129.090. The wording makes it clear that a young person will not be granted a decree of emancipation merely to escape strict parents.

Prior to petitioning the court, a minor must be self-supporting, attending school or excused from attending school, and be able to manage his or her financial affairs. The NRS forbids the calculation of funds gained through illegal activity in meeting the financial requirements.

An example of a successful petition would be one filed by a 17-year-old who has joined the military. Another example is by a 16- or 17-year-old who is legally married, living away from his parents and self-supporting.

My message to the young people is that you have to wait your turn like the rest of us and endure "uncool" parents until your 17th birthday. You can then visit your local Marine or Army recruiter and enlist. You will then be free from the tyrannical rule of your parents or guardians.

February 12 — Domestic Disturbance

A 911 call at 3 a.m. sends police officers to a residence where a 57-year-old woman allegedly hit her 80-year-old mother. An investigation determined that the suspect was suffering from several medical disorders and was not taking her medications. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the emergency room for evaluation.

February 13 — Obstructing a Peace Officer

Officers from the Graves II squad (Ford, Woolsey and Wilkin) respond to a domestic disturbance in the parking lot of a local business at 11 p.m. They contact a 53-year-old man walking in the parking lot of another business and, while interviewing him, a 57-year-old female drives into the parking lot. She ignores officers' order to stop her vehicle and pulls alongside a trash bin, where she deposits a beer can. Officer Wilkin has one in custody for obstructing a peace officer and open alcoholic beverage container in vehicle.

February 14 — Assist Other Jurisdiction

Traffic Officer Gilliam responds to U.S. 95 to assist a Metro Police officer who is out with a belligerent motorist. The Metro officer has one in custody en route to jail. Some guys will do anything to get out of Valentine's Day.

February 15 — Wanted Person

Officer Salazar stops a traffic violator on U.S. 95 at 4:30 a.m. The driver has five warrants from Las Vegas Municipal Court, so Officer Salazar has one in custody. He delivers the 48-year-old male driver to a Metro Police officer.

February 16 — Drunken Driver

K-9 Officer Daly stops a vehicle on U.S. 95 after a motorist reports an erratic driver. Officer Daly observes numerous containers of alcoholic beverages in the vehicle and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver's breath. After a field investigation, Officer Daly arrests the 33-year-old male driver for DUI-alcohol.

February 17 — Drunken Driver

At 6:45 p.m., several citizens use their cell phones to report an erratic driver who failed to stop for a stop sign and was operating his vehicle in excess of 60 mph in a 25 mph zone. Officers intercept the driver on Nevada Way near Colorado Street. The 28-year-old male driver reeks of alcohol and can barely stand up. Officer Henke has one in custody for DUI–alcohol and other traffic-related charges.

Weekly Stats

Incident Reports — 27

Traffic Stops —265

Citations — 146

Adult Arrests — 11

Juvenile Arrests — 1

Animal control calls — 90

Boulder City Police Sgt. Dan Jennings can be reached at [email protected].