Legal Question in Family Law in New Mexico
Dating
My 16 year old friend and my 19 year old friend have a desire to date but the 16 year olds parents are against this. Do my friends have any rights in this decision or can the parents legally ban this relationship? If so is it illegal for them to seek each other? They have no intention of having sex they just want to be able to talk to each other.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Dating
Sure! any two people can date. Nothing in any law about two people eating dinners together, going to a movie, i.e. dating.
If, however, you mean can an adult have sex with a minor, then obviously the answer is of course not!
Your 19 year old friend has exactly two options: 1. Drop the idea of committing statutory rape
2. Risk going to jail.
Re: Dating
The 16 year old is a minor, so her parents have the right to control which friends she talks to and/or dates. If she is talking to someone that they forbid her from seeing, they have the right to punish her.
The parents cannot, however, have the 19 year old arrested for talking to your friend. But I would still advise your friend to find someone acceptable to date and to stay away from any "temptation" that could get someone she cares about in real trouble.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
