Canton, NC asked in Juvenile Law and Criminal Law for North Carolina

Q: Can a 17 year old date a 24 year old in NC and not get into trouble? And will He go to jail if they have a baby ?

I’m 17 and my boyfriend is 24 and we had a baby together but we left his name off Because we was worried he’d get into trouble and get locked up and I don’t want that because I love him and I might be pregnant again with him and I want to be with him but I don’t know if they will throw him in jail for being with me and our son and possibly other baby. What can I do to make it okay for us to be together or is it already okay because I’m 17?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Amanda Bowden Johnson
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: A 17 year old is still a child, so yes, you can date if your parents allow it. 16 is the age of consent in North Carolina so unless you were having sex prior to being 16, he won't get into any criminal trouble or be 'thrown into jail (at least likely not for getting you pregnant) - so he really should be on the birth certificate. At 18, you can do what you want anyway so there really doesn't seem to be much of an issue here especially since you already have one child and may be expecting another. There really just isn't much reason to keep you apart at this point. Best of luck.

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