Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in United States

I'm 16, and my girlfriend is 2 and one half years younger than I am. We both want to wait until marriage, but if when I'm 17 or 18, her parents decide to say that we had sex and try to press charges, could I be charged with anything if a jury believes we did it? This question matters to me because my parents will not approve of the relationship if I could be charged with anything.


Asked on 11/10/10, 11:10 am

4 Answers from Attorneys

Staff General Counsel LawyersCollaborative

Yes, if you have sex with her when she is 14 or under, you could be charged with a felony known as first degree child molestation sexual assault - otherwise known as statutory rape - http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-37/11-37-8.1.HTM

See also http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-37/11-37-6.HTM

Generally, you may want to read EVERY word of Chapter 37, Title 11: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-37/INDEX.HTM

Put differently, you should refrain from having sex until she is at least the age of consent (16 years old).

Best,

Scott J. Summer, Staff General Counsel

LawyersCollaborative

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Answered on 11/15/10, 12:34 pm
J. Whitfield Larrabee J. Whitfield Larrabee

Until your girlfriend turns 16, it will be unlawful for you to have sexual relations with her and you could be charged with a number of offenses including rape if you were to have sexual contact with her. She cannot consent to have any sexual contact with you until she is 16 under Massachusetts law. You could be in huge legal trouble if you had any such contact with her so I would find another girlfriend if I were you so as to avoid any temptation. Nowadays, and even when I was your age in the 1970s, young people tend to have a succession of boyfriend or girlfriend relationships. Although it may seem urgent to have a relationship with her now, this could be a fleeting interest on your part. If you are destined to be together, you can do so when she turns 16 with far fewer potential legal problems.

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Answered on 11/15/10, 12:34 pm

The law on this varries from state to state. You cannot believe either of the previous answers unless you happen to live in the same states as those lawyers, and I cannot answer your question without knowing what state you live in.

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Answered on 11/15/10, 1:09 pm
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Who do you think you're kidding? All it takes is for your girlfriend or one of her pals to rat you out to her mother or school counselor and you are in jail.

Don't think that will ever happen? Then, you know nothing about teenage girls. If you get caught, you'll register as a sex offender for at least ten years in addition to incarceration.

Just want to be only friends? Ask yourself "If my girlfriend didn't have a vagina, would she still be my girlfriend?".

What's your answer?

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Answered on 11/16/10, 8:16 am


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