Wednesday, August 22, 2007

In Re Corrine W. (Cal. Ct. App. - Aug. 22, 2007)

How many times have you had to tell your teenage child that driving (or owning) a car is not a necessary component of life for a sixteen year old? Well, now you've got a case that backs you up.

Corrine, a sixteen year old in foster care, filed an action claiming that Contra Costa County was required to pay for automobile liability insurance so she could lawfully drive a car. The trial court, however, held that there was no such duty to pay, reasoning that "[d]riving an automobile at age sixteen is not a necessity" (emphasis in original). And Justice Sepulveda affirms.

So that should put a definitive end to any arguments with your child about the family vehicle, right? Just have 'em read the case. I'm sure they'll be persuaded.