Parental Criminal Liability for Acts of Minor Children

The parents and guardians of children may be held legally responsible when a child commits a criminal act. Parents and guardians are held responsible under the theory of "vicarious liability." While a "parent" may be anyone who exercises control or authority over the child, typically a custodial parent is the one held criminally responsible for a child's acts. Parental vicarious liability stems from a parent's responsibility to supervise and educate a child. Parental Vicarious Liability Coverage The types of acts typically covered by vicarious liability statutes are: malicious or willful destruction of property, destruction of property in connection with hate crimes, theft and shoplifting, injury caused by firearms, music file sharing and computer hacking, vandalism to school or government property, and defacement of historical markers, gravesites, or flags. Read more