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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend November 26, 2006 Panel to address rights of teens, parents By Paris Achen Mail Tribune When a mother turned to Muriel Johnson for advice on her legal rights after her daughter accused her of abuse for a punishment the mother meted out, the member of the Jackson County Prevention Council didn't know how to respond. Johnson brought the mother's predicament to some of the council members. "How would you handle this?" she asked. "No one had any idea," she says. The dilemma prompted the council to organize a panel on parental and youth legal rights when a teen runs away, a parent banishes a teen from the family home, or in the case of discipline. The free event is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday in the large community room at the Central Library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford. Advertisement Johnson did not reveal the details of the incident that was the impetus for the forum, to protect the identities of the mother and daughter involved. "Basically, the mother said, 'X is going to happen if you do Y,' " Johnson said. "The child turned around and went to police and charged her mother with abuse. "This is a scenario that happens every day." The case eventually went to family court, and the charges were dismissed, she said. "We have tried to be responsive to the concerns in the community," said Sarah Heath, county prevention council coordinator. "One of the concerns is what are parents' and teens' legal responsibility and rights in relationship to rebellion, normal rebellion or as a result of risky behavior, when sometimes teens end up running away?" The panelists are Rebecca Orf, Jackson County Circuit Court judge; Karla Carlson, intake supervisor for the Oregon Department of Human Services' local child welfare office; Joe Ferguson, county Community Justice detention manager; Michael Smith, attorney with the county District Attorney's Office; and Randy Schoen, Medford deputy chief of police. The council was formed in 1999 to coordinate prevention planning in the county for issues such as teen pregnancy, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and delinquency. Some of the issues the panelists are expected to address at the forum include: What rights does a youth have if parents kick him or her out of their home? What do parents do if their child refuses to come home? When parents are having problems with their teenager, whom can they call for help? How does a teenager become legally emancipated? What is the process after a runaway teenager has been apprehended? What happens in family court? What can a judge mandate? Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com