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UnBlondTink · Aug 3, 2010, 11:24 PM

Hi, I started dating my boyfriend when I was 16 and my boyfriend was 19. We'd been really close friends for more than a year before we started dating (I was a sophomore and he was a senior, we met in spanish class and stayed really good friends even after he graduated). When we started dating I had to keep it a secret from my dad bcoz 1. he was 19 and 2. he's black. Well my dad took my phone away and read all the dirty texts we'd been sending each other. He took it to the cops to have it on file and the cops told him he could press charges if he wanted to but he said he wouldn't if I stayed away from my boyfriend. Well I didn't but kept it a secret. I'm going to be 18 soon and I'm moving out to stay with my boyfriend, *** don't lecture me or try to change my mind bcoz its already made up. I just want to know if he can still press charges on my boyfriend even after I turn 18.

Clough · Aug 3, 2010, 11:38 PM

Hi, UnBlondTink!

If your boyfriend were to be charged with anything, do you know exactly what the charge would be, please?

Thanks!

UnBlondTink · Aug 3, 2010, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, UnBlondTink!

If your boyfriend were to be charged with anything, do you know exactly what the charge would be, please?

Thanks!

I'm really not quite sure, we haven't had sex and the farthest we've gone is oral but the text messages were quite descriptive of that along with the pictures on my phone. There wasn't any pictures of us messing around with each other just nude pix of ourselves

UnBlondTink · Aug 4, 2010, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, UnBlondTink!

If your boyfriend were to be charged with anything, do you know exactly what the charge would be, please?

Thanks!

Oh I just figured it out: statutory rape

UnBlondTink · Aug 4, 2010, 12:43 AM

Wait never mind that's if we had sex

ScottGem · Aug 4, 2010, 04:23 AM

Where do you live? In many states the age of consent is 16. But, if the police told him he could press charges, then it may be higher where you are.

Also laws vary by area so ANY question involving law NEEDS to include your general area. Statutory rape does not only include sexual intercourse. There is also the possibility of him violating child pornography laws.

As to whether he can still prosecute those charges it may rest on your local statutes of limitations.

excon · Aug 4, 2010, 07:01 AM

Hello Un:

Criminal charges can't be held over your head to make you behave. Therefore, he can't press SQUAT on you no matter WHAT the cops told him. Cops are really pretty STUPID! Additionally, you DIDN'T have sex and THAT'S the crime IF there was one. It is NOT illegal do disobey your parents. Did I mention that cops are STUPID?

excon

ScottGem · Aug 4, 2010, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by excon

Therefore, he can't press SQUAT on you no matter WHAT the cops told him.

Umm I think the father was talking about pressing charges against the boyfriend.

Also, its not against the law to disobey one's parents, but it is against the law to influence a child to do so.

Alty · Aug 4, 2010, 11:10 AM

One question for the legal experts.

Wouldn't the charge have more to do with the nude photos than any possible sexual activity?

If she was 16 when the photos were taken, that's child porn. Isn't it?

ScottGem · Aug 4, 2010, 11:59 AM

Yep, there would seem to be several possible charges. In fact, I'm a bit surprised the DA or county prosecutor didn't go ahead with prosecution without the father pressing charges. I suspect the OP does not live in the south.

excon · Aug 4, 2010, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Yep, there would seem to be several possible charges. In fact, I'm a bit surprised the DA or county prosecutor didn't go ahead with prosecution without the father pressing charges. I suspect the OP does not live in the south.

Hello again, Scott:

That is my point, exactly. The cops investigate, and/or the prosecutor levies charges. What the cops DON'T have the authority to do, is leave it to the father to use as a weapon against his daughter to make her behave. That isn't what the criminal justice system is for. If the cops aid and abet a parent in this type of extortion, then the cops will LOSE if they later decide to levy charges because the father told them to.

I was meaning, of course, the boyfriend earlier.

excon

UnBlondTink · Aug 4, 2010, 03:19 PM

I live in Texas if that helps, and I think the age of consent is 17 here but I'm not sure

ScottGem · Aug 4, 2010, 03:54 PM

Yep age of consent is 17 ans since he was 3 yrs older that puts him behind the 8-ball

UnBlondTink · Aug 5, 2010, 01:38 PM

I looked it up on wikipedia n it said he has to be at least 3 years older than me. We're 2 years and 4 months apart

ScottGem · Aug 5, 2010, 05:34 PM

Its not that black and white.

Fr_Chuck · Aug 5, 2010, 06:23 PM

And still illegal, the level of the crime will be determined by the age difference. And it will be the law from two years ago, not current law ( if the law has recently changed)

I guess my issue is, that boyfriend knew the risk ( jail) but continued, as did the girl.
So if he does press charges now, why should anyone be surprised or even upset, they knew the risk and decided it was worth it.