Liability for Actions of Children

Liability for Actions of Children

A person spray-painting graffiti

While parents may be morally responsible for supervising and controlling their children, they generally are not legally responsible for the acts of their minor children.  But there are some important exceptions under Alaska law.  In Alaska, parents can be held responsible for up to $15,000 plus court costs if their minor child knowingly or intentionally destroys the property of another person.  If the parent has an insurance policy that covers these types of damages, the parent may be liable for up to $25,000 in damages.

Parents may also be liable for certain acts of their minor children if they are negligent in supervising them.  Negligent in supervising means that a parent knew or should have known that a child needed to be controlled, and the parent did not take reasonable steps to do so.

Parents may be found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor if they help, encourage, or cause their children to break the law.

A parent may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor if the child is under 16 years old and the parent helps or causes the child to be absent repeatedly from school without a good reason.