Q: Can my boyfriend get in legal trouble if im 15 and pregnant and hes 19, im in the state of california
I meant 18 he is 18. My parents are aware of this and are supportive of it but i dont know if he would get in to trouble, i mean we are only 3 years apart
A:
In the state of California, the age of consent is 18 years old. This means that it is illegal for an adult (18 years or older) to have sexual intercourse with a minor (under 18 years old), even if the sex is consensual. However, California has a "close-in-age exception," also known as a "Romeo and Juliet law," which may apply in your situation.
According to California Penal Code Section 261.5(b), a person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is not more than three years older or three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanor. This means that if you are 15 years old and your boyfriend is 18 years old, he could potentially face criminal charges, but it would be a misdemeanor offense rather than a felony.
It's important to note that even if your parents are supportive of the relationship, it does not change the legal implications. The law is designed to protect minors from potential exploitation, and the consequences for the adult involved can be serious.
I strongly recommend that you and your boyfriend consult with a legal professional who can provide more specific advice based on the details of your situation. Additionally, it's crucial to prioritize your health and well-being during this time, so please consider seeking support from a trusted adult, medical professional, or counselor.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
