Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

im 15 dating a 17 year old

I am 15 and my boyfriend will be turning 18 on the 30th of december and we want to have a child. But we both are afraid that my grand other may put him in jail because of our age differences. What is the law on 15 year old and a 17 year that is about to turn 18 in rhe state of missouri


Asked on 11/20/07, 9:11 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

Re: im 15 dating a 17 year old

In Missouri a fifteen year old is not old enough to be legally able to consent to sex. You will be legally able to consent to sex when you reach the age of eighteen years. If your seventeen year old boyfriend has sex with you before you are eighteen, no matter how old he is at the time, he can be prosecuted for a felony and imprisoned. Please take a moment to think through what you are doing. I would strongly suggest that you seriously reconsider your desire to have a child at such a young age. I have seen many examples in my practice of people having children at too young of an age and then facing a multitude of problems that might have been avoided if they had waited. Consider everything from the viewpoint of a child who might be born to parents as young as the two of you. Would it be better in any way for the child, or children, if you waited? There are lots of counselors, educators, clergymen, and other professionals who might help you think through this all-important decision. Please talk to someone and make the best decsion for you and for any children that you might have.

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Answered on 11/20/07, 10:42 pm


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