Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

adult dateing a minor

My daughters boyfriend was taken to a 'lawyer'by his father, who told him that because he had just turned 18, (my daughter is 14), it was against the law for him to date her anymore. He was told that, for example, if he was stopped in his car for speeding, that he would be arrested for being with an under aged girl. Can you shed some light on this for me? Also, where can I look up laws concerning this subject, (and perhaps get penal codes?)


Asked on 8/20/01, 1:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Victor Hobbs Victor E. Hobbs

Re: adult dateing a minor

There are some provisions in the penal code that recognizes that a three year age difference between the boy and girl is pretty normal. Certain acts by the boy with the girl that would normally be a felony may be treated as a misdemeanor.

If the boy commits a crime, and the younger girl participates, there is a possibility of the boy being charged with conduct leading to the delinquency of a minor. It means the minor is tempted or induced to commit a crime they would normally not commit.

So there is a heightened exposure for a young male that dates a minor female. However, we've all done it when we graduated from high school, and dated girls that were still in high school. As long as you have a good young man, there is normally not problem. Unless the girl isn't so good.

Go to your search function on the web and type in the words 'California Codes or California Laws.' Then when you get to the California Legislature's web site. There is a page with all the codes, (check the box(s) for the code you want to search or box for all the codes), and on the bottom a space to put in word(s) or section numbers to search for.

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Answered on 8/20/01, 6:40 pm


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