Matthew J. Ruff Automobile Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

This is the million dollar question parents always ask when their kids
get in trouble with the law is how much am I on the hook for?

In California, under Civil Code section 1714.1, the parents liability
for their child's delinquent behavior is limited to $25,000.  Some
parents don't object to their childs request to be emancipated because
of concern about their financial liability.  However, it should be
noted, it is not easy to have a court order that a child is
emancipated.

A child who is over the age of 14 can petition the Superior Court for a
declaration of emancipation but in order for the court to do this, it
must be satisfied that the child can support him or herself.  A child
with no job will generally not get this approved for emancipation
unless it is proven by some other means that the child can be capable
of supporting him or herself.  Children who are runaways often try to
get emancipated but, due to their limited education, they often cannot
show that they make enough money to support themselves.  Parents should
make an effort to help support their kids until they complete high
school and college regardless of the difficult circumstances involving
raising a child.  Worrying about financial liability should not be a
primary concern when it comes to raising your child.