Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Minors and relationships

My son has been dating a girl for over a year. This girl is not allowed to have a boyfriend. They are both 17. We knew & disapproved, Her parents supposedly did not. Her father found a letter my son wrote to her, & insinuated they had sex,I read the letter it doesn't. In the letter my son wrote he snuck into the house on 4 occassions, with her knowledge.He proceeded to ask my son to move out of SD CNTY, if not he was going to press charges, we asked what crime had been committed? No response, he proceeded to tell us my son trespassed 4 times.Her parents were home when he climbed through her window!He is a social worker. What charges can he bring against my son, and should I retain an attorney because of his threat.He stated my ex-husband/fiance and myself can get fired because of this incident!I am not clear on what grounds. What is the crime? These are 2 teenagers seeing each other at school at her home, for over a year!I know they both lied to both parents about the relationship,is that a legal crime? My son has NOT had sex with her. He is a model student/4.5 g.p.a, undercover for law enforcement shoulder tap operations, respectful, etc. Please guide me to ensure we cover ourselves legally. Thank you for taking the time.


Asked on 11/19/04, 11:51 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Minors and relationships

Unless your son had reason to know the girl's parents had forbidden him to enter the house, he was not trespassing. After all, he had the girl's permission to enter and had no reason to doubt her authority to invite him in. If he did know he wasn't allowed in then he technically is guilty of trespassing, but I very much doubt that the local prosecutors would devote any of their scarce resources to such a case.

As far as I can tell, your son has not committed a crime and has done nothing which would make him (or you) civilly liable, either.

I can't imagine how you could lose your job because of something like this, even if your son actually *did* know he was not allowed in the house. I suppose in that situation the girl's parents could sue him successfully and hold you responsible for the damages, but I don't believe that the damages would be more than a token amount.

The girl's father sounds like a head case to me. Forbidding his daughter to have boys in the house is OK legally and he has reason to be mad at her for breaking the rules, but the rules he sets for his daughter do not have the force of law even over her, let alone over your son. His demand that your son -- a minor, at that -- move out of town is completely over the line. And you say this man is a social worker??? He seems like someone who *needs* some help, and not someone who should be trusted to help others.

Just my humble opinion, of course.

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Answered on 11/20/04, 3:38 pm
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Minors and relationships

The girls father is throwing his weight around. Even if he could have your son arrested for trespassing that would only be a misdemeanor and since he is a juvenile under the present law it could be sealed. Should he continue to harrass you contact an attorney.

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Answered on 11/20/04, 4:00 pm


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