Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

sexual consenting age - florida

My friend is 24 yrs old and has been dating this girl for 2 mths. One night last week they were intimate. 3 days later she says she thinks shes preg. and tells her father. Her father then informs my friend that she is only 17. He also said that my friend must now marry this girl on March 11th if she is preg. and it may be negotiable if she is not (or he will call the cops). I SWEAR my friend had no idea she was 17 and her parents were aware that they were dating. Is my friend stuck or is there a solution? Please, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!


Asked on 2/10/00, 7:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randy Merrill

Re: sexual consenting age - florida

The defense of consent is unavailable when the "victim" is under the age of 16 at the time of the offense. While your friend would have the ability to put forth consent as a defense to a charge of sexual battery (otherwise known as rape) and probably win on that charge, he still has a problem in that the girl was under 18. Your friend most likely will face a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and should seek competent counsel immediately. Good luck!

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Answered on 3/05/00, 10:59 pm


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