Is it illegal in Texas for a 17 year old to fight a 14 year old?

Question

The 17 year old provoked it by throwing the first 2 punches. My son (14) just defended himself.

The fight was pretty much a draw from what I can tell. I was just curious because I know it is illegal for an 18 year old to hit a minor...but I thought it also was for a 17 year old. The 17 year old slapped him. My son stood up and the boy punched him. At that point my son defended himself. Fortunately my 14 year old is 6 feet tall...

Answer 1

Um... yeah, it's called assault. It's also illegal for a 14 year old to fight a 17 year old, or for a 17 year old to fight a 17 year old, or a 14 year old to fight a 14 year old, or a 40 year old to fight a 40 year old, or any other combination you can think of.

Answer 2

The fact is he is a minor and by the law, you, as his parent and legal guardian, are 100% responsible for his actions and can be held accountable for anything that he may do, or any harm he may cause. You present a situation where it is his word against another minor's word. There is an underlying issue that you do not present, i.e., why did the 17 year old slap your child? Regardless, I wonder why your son didn't walk away or report this to an adult as opposed to exchanging "slaps" or "punches". Sounds like he is tall and big for his age - I would worry, if I were you, that he does not do this again without knowing that his size overweighs his age, and he and you as his parent, can suffer serious legal and financial consequences if anything serious injuries are ever inflicted. He needs to learn the role of the gentle giant, per se, and that violence is no good to anyone no matter what the provoking incident may be. In any event, most states have laws in effect that dictate that a child under the age of 5 has no negligence, however, after the age of five, they are considered to have knowledge of the consequences of their actions and are held accountable to varying degrees dependent upon their age, and knowledge. Recall the 14 year old in Florida convicted of murder due to his size in a "wrestling maneuver" he saw on TV. That case sets precedent.

Answer 3

It's called assult either way, and the 17 year old should have had his butt kicked for hitting a younger person like that. Puberty is very different at those two ages, I know if that was my 14 year old son getting punched by a 17 year old, I woulda dragged that 17 year old out of the fight and taken him to his parents. But on the other hand if my 14 year old son was kicking butt,, I'd just laugh

Answer 4

Get them enlisted in the defense (Army) where fighting is plenty and real. Otherwise, in civil life fighting is the last resort for the people who could not cope with reasoning and logic. Yes, it is illegal to fight at any age and any combinations of the persons' age.

Answer 5

I don't know if it is illegal since they are both minors. Unless your kid got really hurt, I'd let it go. Teenagers get in fights. Unfortunately, it's part of life, and when he's 40 he'll be telling all his friends about the time he kicked a "big kid's" a$$.

Answer 6

Yes, in TX, 17 is considered an adult depends on the D.A. but the person who is 17 can be charged with assault. You can also add charges if it was in a school zone. etc. Check out the state web. Good luck!

Answer 7

any fight is an assualt and illegal no matter what the ages.

What can make a difference is what court they will go to.

Also since the police did not witness the event, it is possible they arrest or ticket both parties if they can not determine who who started it and who caused it. And let both sides present evidence as to what happened.

Answer 8

people combat with regard to the stupidest issues now a days. it relies upon on the state i stay in manhattan and it rather is against the regulation. it rather is unlawful for a sixteen year previous be with everyone youthful than sixteen. and 17 is the age of consent in manhattan. so a 17 year previous may be with everyone 17+.

Answer 9

you could call the cops on hhim... or sue the guy... im sure the law wouldnt do much. Its illigal in terms to where the both of you would be fined... texas is like that.. i live here... all they want is your money..

Kaylee

Answer 10

assault