Can a 19 year old go to jail for getting a 15 year old pregnant with consent?

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Can a 19 year old go to jail for getting a 15 year old pregnant with consent?

My 15 year old friend is now pregnant
by her 19 year old boyfriend. She
refused to abort now her parents insist
on pressing charges. Is there anything
she can do to stop it? Does she have
any type of say? If not what are the
consequences for her boyfriend. I’ve
heard of a close-age law.

Asked on June 13, 2017 under Criminal Law, South Carolina

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

Consent has nothing to do with it. Under the law, a minor is deemed incapable of giving informed consent to sexual intercourse. In S.C. the legal "age of consent" for sexual contact is 16 years old. A close-in-age exemption protects individuals under 18 from engaging in sexual relations with a minor who is at least 14 years old. However, offenders over 18 are liable to be charged with "Criminal sexual conduct with a minor", a serious charge. 


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