Legal Definitions - parental-responsibility statute

A parental-responsibility statute is a law that allows for criminal penalties, such as fines, to be imposed on parents or legal guardians when their minor child commits a crime. These statutes apply when the child's criminal behavior is deemed to be a direct result of the parents' or guardians' failure to adequately supervise, control, or guide their child.

Here are some examples to illustrate how a parental-responsibility statute might apply:

• Example 1: Repeated Vandalism

  A 15-year-old is repeatedly caught spray-painting graffiti on public and private property in their neighborhood. Local law enforcement has contacted the parents multiple times, issuing warnings and suggesting interventions. Despite these warnings, the parents do not take significant steps to monitor their child's activities or address the destructive behavior. If the child commits another act of vandalism, a parental-responsibility statute could allow the city to issue a criminal fine to the parents for their demonstrated failure to control their child's criminal conduct.

• Example 2: Chronic Truancy Leading to Theft

  A 13-year-old frequently skips school and, during these periods of truancy, begins shoplifting from local convenience stores. The school has notified the parents about the child's absences, and the police have even brought the child home after a minor theft incident. However, the parents consistently fail to ensure the child attends school or to implement any effective disciplinary measures to prevent further truancy or criminal activity. Under a parental-responsibility statute, the parents could face criminal charges or fines because their lack of supervision directly contributed to their child's repeated criminal acts of theft.

• Example 3: Unsupervised Access to Property Causing Damage

  A 16-year-old, who does not have a driver's license, repeatedly takes their parents' car without permission for joyrides, despite the parents being aware of previous instances. One evening, the teenager takes the car again and causes significant property damage to a neighbor's fence while driving recklessly. Because the parents had prior knowledge of their child's unauthorized use of the vehicle and failed to secure their car keys or prevent access, they could be subject to criminal fines under a parental-responsibility statute for their negligence in controlling their child's illegal actions.