Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in California

Dating Minors

I am a 17 year old girl living in

California and I ve been dating a 16

year old guy for about 1 year. He is

exactly 1 year younger than me

plus or minus a month. Do the laws

still apply since we've been dating

while we were both minors (i

understand that sexual intercourse

is illegal for minors in general but

iam talking dating)?


Asked on 6/29/09, 1:31 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Dating Minors

Young love happens. The closer the difference in age, the lesser the penalties. Check his ID -- I recently interviewed a prospective client, a young lady with a newborn baby, who was very surprised to learn that Dad was 13 at the time the baby was conceived, and that she was charged with lewd acts on a child younger than 14, a felony! Also, Be Careful.

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Answered on 6/29/09, 1:36 am
Joe Dane Law Office of Joe Dane

Re: Dating Minors

It is illegal for anyone to have sex with a person under 18, even if they're under 18 as well.

If by "dating" you mean going to the movies and holding hands, then there's no law against that (provided nobody's doing anything that falls under the "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" statutes such as staying out past curfew, skipping school, etc.).

If by "dating" you mean having sex, then it's illegal.

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Answered on 6/29/09, 2:05 am


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