Can a 12 yearold & a 17 teen year old date ?

No. The difference is too big for any sort of reasonable relationship. Come back in ten years time and it might be possible.

The legality of it depends upon the state you live in.

No, and no parent of a 12 year old would ( or should if they are a good parent) even allow it.

A 17 yr old with romantic interest in a 12 yr old.

Suspect behavior is the best thing I would call it as I

Fired a warning shot... or two in at or over the head...

Which one is it? Oh... ya... over.

The legality of it depends upon the state you live in.

This is actually incorrect. There are no laws that govern dating. Any laws covering the relationships between minors or an adult and a minor involve sexual activity. It would be illegal in almost anywhere in the world for you two to have sex, but not illegal to date.

But, it would be WRONG for you to date. If you are 12 you are too young to date one on one. You are still a child in many ways. Even hanging out with boys in that age range is a warning sign. You can starting hanging in groups closer to your own age and, in another couple of years, start dating one on one but closer to your own age.

But the bottom line here is what your parents say. If your parents do not allow you to date or date this person, then he could get in legal for trouble for parental interference.