Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in Michigan

Re: age of consent

It's not as simple as "I'm 16, so I can do what I want ... and I want to have sex with a 19-year old."

Until you are 18, you are a minor under the law re: most things. Yes, you can consent to have sex at 16. Yes, you can drive a car at 15 or 16. Yes, you can decide to stop going to school by then. But that's about it. All other activities of life are in your parents' control ... unless you become legally emancipated before you turn 18 years old (which is much harder to do than you think). So there can be a conflict between your 16-year-old legal ability to have sex and your position of obeying your parents' reasonable commands. If you having sex with someone at that age is against your parents' orders, your parents might petition the juvenile court to have jurisdiction taken over you as an incorrigible youth. If that's successful, then the court controls your life ... not your parents, not you.

Despite your youtful urges, why rush into this very 'adult' activity? Consider whether the guy is actually using you for the thrill of having sex with someone so young. And, are you prepared (emotionally, intellectually, financially, etc.) to possibly become a mother at 16, and have to raise a baby 24/7/52??? Don't think that your parents will bail you out. And don't count on the guy to be there to help, or pay for the child's care. Consider the worst-case scenerio and ask if your baby will be in a good environment in your care as a single, under-educated, young mother? Yes, "other people" have made that work ... but can you?

Re: age of consent

The criminal sexual conduct statute sets the age limit at "under 16".

If you would like further information please contact me via my website at www.lawrefs.com.