Note: The DearEsq free 'ask a lawyer' site is offered as a free informational service to the public and is not intended as legal advice. Laws vary from state-to-state, and in addition every situation is unique, and relevant facts may not be known. The answer to the question posed below may not apply to in your state or to your situation. For legal advice in your state and your situation you should consult with an attorney in your state who is familiar with the rules and laws in your state.
“Is my son, or we his parents, at legal risk for an accusation of sexual molestation which supposedly happened 20 years ago when he was twelve years old?”
Question: I guess we are talking about some kind of suppressed memory case. Under some circumstances, parents of a minor can be held financially liable for the crimes of their children. This would generally extend to victim restitution. I can find no case or jurisdiction on point that would allow for recovery against parents 20 years after the crime was committed, unless maybe, they were also somehow otherwise liable on an accessory theory.
