Your Rights with Your Parents or Guardians

In Minnesota, parents and guardians must care for their children until age 18. Parents can also make and enforce reasonable rules. You have to follow the rules your parents set. You have the right to expect your parents to keep you safe and take care of you. 

Parents can use reasonable force to restrain or correct their child. If your parents use force that is not reasonable, see How to Get Help on the next page.  

Usually you can’t move away from home unless:

• Your parents agree to it
   
• You turn 18
   
• You join the military, or
   
• A court allows you to

If your parents abuse or neglect you, call for help!

Does your parent or guardian neglect you or abuse you physically, emotionally, or sexually? Do they let others abuse you? If so, you can get help from the court, the county child protection office, the police or your legal aid office. 2-1-1 is a statewide agency that will give you information and phone numbers to get help.

Call them at:                2-1-1 (statewide)
Or chat online at:         www.211unitedway.org.
You can also text your zip code to them for help at:  898-211

Note: sometimes, when an adult finds out about a minor being abused, they may have to tell Child Protection Services (CPS). This is called “Mandated reporting.” Lawyers are not mandated reporters. If you need to talk about something going on at home but don’t want a CPS report made, contact the Youth Law Project at youthlawproject@mylegalaid.org. 

If you are hurt or in immediate danger, call 911! 

In an emergency, call 911. For non-emergencies, or if you have questions, or if you have not been able to get the help you need, call the Youth Law Project at the MMLA intake line at (877) 696-6529. Or email us at youthlawproject@mylegalaid.org.