Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Washington

My boyfriend and I started engaging in sexual intercourse after I turned 16 last month (He is 19 years old). We've been alternating between withdrawal and condoms since then. However, I just learned that after ejaculating sperm may remain and cause pregnancy if you engage in intercourse again shortly after ejaculation. And, shockingly enough, he came to visit me two weeks ago and just that happened around the time I should have been ovulating. Naturally, I'm terrified and I am hoping for my menstrual cycle to begin soon. I'm afraid now of our age difference being an issue; we both truly love each other but people have warned us about this before. Which is why we waited until I reached the age of consent to have sex. But now I'm scared that my mom will press charges because I am still a minor. She likes my boyfriend, everyone knows he's a great, nice guy; but she wants me to go to college and actually have a future - something essentially impossible if I were to become pregnant at the age of 16. We were planning on telling her soon but now that I'm not sure if I'm pregnant I doubt that I will until I'm sure. And I'm positive that aborition is not an option for me. But can he still be charged with a felony for this? I agreed to it. We both waited. He's 38 months older than me. I'm afraid of him going to jail more than anything else, and how my mom would react if it were true; she once threatened that she would disown me if such a thing were ever to happen. Can my boyfriend go to jail for this? Can I do anything at all? What would help with this situation? Is there anything else that could make this worse, or better?


Asked on 2/06/10, 11:41 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Elizabeth Karnazes New York Offices of Elizabeth Karnazes

The sex is illegal. Withdrawal is NEVER a form of birth control. Go to Planned Parenthood and get some help with contraception. Your boyfriend is performing an illegal act every time he has sex with you The age difference is illegal. Good luck!

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Answered on 2/12/10, 1:12 pm


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