Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Internet Laws

Here is my strange story (I'll make it brief). I live in California and I met a Girl who lives in Texas on the Internet. We were friends for a year then we both admitted we had strong feelings for one another. We then started planning to get together and have a relationship. We also discussed and talked about Sex and had what you might consider ''Cyber Sex''. She says she is 22 years old. But then I got a message a few weeks ago on a chat service called ICQ that she was in fact 15 years old, not 22 years old. I told her and she said she was in fact 22 and this person was illegally using her ICQ. So here is my question. I Love her very much and I believe her. But what if she really is 15 years old? The person said it was an open and shut case and that I'd go to prison. I am stuck. I either believe in the person I Love, or believe a stranger who won't give me their name or any proof of what they are saying. If it turns out she is really 15, then am I guilty of a crime? We have never physically met. But this person who claims she is 15 says it doesn't matter if I knew or not, I'm guilty by law.


Asked on 1/17/01, 4:22 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Patrick McNeal Law Offices of Patrick D. McNeal

Re: Internet Laws

You have quite a problem, but the legalities of the situation is not as simple as the common sense solution to the problem.

How can you have developed feelings and maintain them with someone who will not be truthful to you, a simple solution is to have this person send you by mail proof of her age, it would serve to legitimize the relationship,,,,,,,,if she is 15, you need to back away, and to be safe, consult someone regarding your criminal exposure, this would involve details that we can't get into over this medium........with respect to the "relationship" use your head, if there are feelings for each other, you need to verify who this person is,,,,and how old she is,,,,,,,,,,,,good luck...pdm

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Answered on 2/13/01, 6:48 pm
Steven Mandell Law Offices of Steven R. Mandell

Re: Internet Laws

This is entirely too complex a factual situation to be discussed via email. I recommend that you have a consultation with a criminal lawyer in your area immediately. Most criminal lawyers give free consultations. If you live in Los Angeles Coounty, feel free to call me for a free consultation. My phone: 310 393 0639.

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Answered on 2/12/01, 11:36 pm


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