I am 17, and have been trying to find a sure answer on a question for a while. My boyfriend is 21, and I was wondering if my parents found out we were sexually active, I they could 1) press charges and if they can, then 2) if they can press charges against my will. I live in Michigan, and I read that once you turn 17, as long as the other person is within 5 years of your age, it's not considered illegal. I've been trying to figure out if this was the truth or not. I'm not here to be criticized for dating an older man, or listening to someone telling me he's using me. I would just really appreciate if someone could tell me if what I read was the correct information or not. Thanks!:)

Jackie, I am not a lawyer and do not know anything about Michigan laws. But, until one of the legal advisors signs on, here are a couple of websites that you might want look at. Please read the postings very carefully. It will give you a lot to think about.

Legal age of Consent for sex/dating in Michigan - Labor Law Talk (http://www.laborlawtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7010)

Age of Consensual Sex in the USA (http://www.coolnurse.com/consent.htm)

I am by no means going to lecture you on this. The only thing I will say is that from the sound of your question, you parents seem to be protective of you. Please consider their reaction carefully, even if you find out that the age of consent is 17. It sound like it doesn't matter how old you are, they will be greatly disturbed if they find out their "little girl" is having a sexual relationship. They might try to find some other legal or illegal way to get at your boyfriend. You need to ask yourself these questions, "Is it worth the hassle of my parents freaking out over this?" and, even if you have protected sex to make sure you don't get any diseases or pregnant, there is always the chance this can still occur. So, if you become pregnant accidentally, are you ready to take on the responsibility of a child or an abortion? Either way, it is an emotionally draining and devastating thing to have to deal with at your age, much less any other age. Please just give this stuff some thought.

Hope this helps in some way.

There are many ways to get things done beside statutory rape, you have aiding to the deliquentcy of a minor, this can be used for a lot of activities for minors ( under 18) and is what many parents have used if they can't prove the sexual activitity or what DA's sometimes plea down to so it is not a sex crime for those who are just dating and near the same age.

You have interference with the custody of the minor if they tell you not to see him and you go somewhere with him.

While laws change, the search I did this monring did show 17 as a legal age of consent in Mich.

While they may not get him on rape charges, if you see him against their permission, they can find other charges to have put against him.