Chicago, IL asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Texas

Q: Can I get into trouble for talking to a 17 year old when I am 29.

She had a profile on a dating site saying she was older.

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: That depends on what y'all talked about. Texas Penal Code section 25.03 makes it a misdemeanor crime to entice a child (under 18) away from his/her parent's or guardian's lawful custody. So, for example, if you asked her to sneak out and meet you, then you may have enticed a minor. The bigger problem would be section 15.031 covering criminal solicitation. If a person tries to convince a minor to engage in certain criminal activity, that is itself a crime, often a felony, depending on exactly what was planned. If y'all exchanged naked pictures, then you are potentially exposed to liability for other offenses, too. You don't want to provide details here. You should discuss the details with a lawyer so that your communication is protected.

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