Parent help: Can a minor give a statement to the police without their parents being informed? - Help.com

What country?
What was the illegal activity?

Most importantly, if you give a statement, will you be safe?

ill be safe- i mean, ill have people angry with me- but it wont be dangerous

The USA.

The illegal activity was stealing from cars in the middle of the night- they didnt even tell me they were doing it…we (me and four aquaintences [sp?]) were driving around and suddenly they pulled over, and started running up to cars and stealing stuff…

right now 2 of the people involved are trying to blame me and 2 others who barely robbed any cars…

let me be clear: I NEVER took anything. I stayed in the car scared out of my mind.

the 2 who are being blamed with me are defending me the best they can, but I’m being roped into this and I want to testify and get my name cleared.

my parents will be furious if they know I was even involved in this.

Before you go any further, is it possible that you are assuming incorrectly the reaction of your parents? How could they be furious at you or being honest and doing the right thing in a bad situation? For getting into the situation possibly? How rational are they?

And good for you, by the way. It takes guts to do the right thing.

no…my parents are pretty irrational.

My dad’s been through rough things in his life, living in the city- its why he moved to a small town- i understand though, he just dosent want me getting into trouble with the law or anything…it really scares him i guess…and he reacts with anger-

I know theyd be really angry. I just want to know if the police would mention this to my parents if i went to give a statement alone, considering the severity of the crime (a parole officers laptop was stolen, unknown to me at the time) which is felony possesion of government property…

thank you for helping by the way- im just really scared in this whole situation

I wish I could help more, I don’t know US law and it could even differ by state. Perhaps you could call and ask anonymously if they would tell your parents?

I can tell you though as a parent myself, I would prefer to hear the truth from my son rather than to have the police call because he has been accused of something. If that is a likelihood you may be best to be honest and forthright before your parents get a call. I understand that you are scared but you didn’t do anything wrong. Personally I think honesty is the best policy.

If you were my kid, I’d be proud of ya! I’d say what the heck were you thinking getting into a situation like that?! But I’d be proud nonetheless for what you didn’t do and your honesty. Good luck hon, maybe someone will be able to help you more.