I recently found an ad for a 17 year old inmate that will be 18 later this month. Is there a problem with sending a letter to an inmate under 18? I don't think there would be because the ad is placed on another site but would appreciate your advice. Thanks, Roger You can comment here or send a private e-mail rogerscottmail@aol.com

Roger, I sent 2 Christmas cards to a 17 year old who was tried as an adult - of course, I didn't say anything to him that I wouldn't want his parents to hear. I see no problem with you writing this kid since he posted the ad....

Bigdog is right. As long as you remember he is a minor and keep the subject matter and language clean, you should be able to write without any worry.

Actually, it depends on the State. In Georgia, you are no longer a "juvenile" at the age of 17. You might be a "minor" at that age, but you will be prosecuted and convicted as an "adult" under the criminal code.

Georgia is rather interesting, since you cannot legally bind yourself in a contractual obligation until you're 18, but you can go to prison at 17. You can't drink (in any State) until 21, because you're a minor, but if you steal a six-pack, you're charged with theft as an adult, but also with possession of alcohol by a minor. AND, you go to jail.

Anybody confused yet ?

In Georgia, the legal age of consent (for carnal knowledge) is 16, but if you drop out of school before you're 17, you lose your driver's license (if you have one). You cannot get married until you're 18, but you can "practice up" for the honeymoon two years ahead of time.

However, if for some reason you get pregnant at 16, you CAN get married, but if you steal the wedding rings, you'll go to Juvenile Detention, since it's not a crime at 16, it's considered a "delinquent act".

You are not legally emancipated until the age of 18, but can STILL go to prison at 17. I suppose that would be "forced" emancipation.

Legally, you cannot vote until you're 18, but you CAN go to prison before you're even qualified to vote (at 17), thereby effectively losing your right to vote before you even have it.

Take notes. There WILL be a quiz.

*LOL* at LawDog

Totally confused, makes no sense!!!

__________________

Thank you all for responding. I don't have any intention to discuss anything that would create a problem but just wanted to make sure it was ok to even respond. Law Dog, I also live in GA but didn't know about all of the laws you mentioned. Thanks again everyone. Roger

Roger:

There's actually a lot more interesting legal facts in Georgia concerning the statutory differences in age.

Just as a rule of thumb, you're a 'minor' if you're under the age of 21. You're a 'juvenile' if you're under the age of 17. Therefore, even though you're a minor from age 17 through 20, you're still an 'adult'.

Seems contradictory, doesn't it ? From 17 through 20 you can be an 'adult', but you're still a 'minor'.

Since a 'minor' can be married at 16 (if there's a pregnancy), he/she would then be 'emancipated' as an 'adult', but not yet treated as an 'adult' by the legal system until the age of 17. Even becoming an 'emancipated adult' at 16, they are still a 'minor', and therefore, cannot enter into legal contracts (still need Mom and Dad to co-sign).

Then, if the 'emancipated adult' gets into legal trouble before the age of 17, Mom & Dad will have to answer for their 'juvenile' in the Juvenile Court, even though they've been 'emancipated'.

Furthermore, if the 'emancipated adult' turns 17, they are still a 'minor', no longer considered a 'juvenile', and treated as an 'adult'.

Anybody got the score card ?

LOL LD, i'm still taking notes here..catching up!

LD..check me out now... if the party of the first part soes anything to the party of the second part then its illegal in GoGerorga if all the parties are not monitored by an adult...OH YEASH...I got it... DONT GO TO GEORGA\IA