What are the risk of legal issues if a 20 year old male dates a 16 year old female?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are the risk of legal issues if a 20 year old male dates a 16 year old female?
Her parents are divorced and she stays with her mom. Her mom accepts me and her hanging out but I am unsure of her dad.
Asked on October 3, 2011 under Family Law, New Jersey
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Listen, it really all depends on what you mean by "dating." Going to the movies? Out to dinner? Those type of dating events are perfectly fine given your age difference and the fact that she is a minor and you are considered an adult under the law. But should the relationship get physical in any way I would watch your step. Even if her Mother "accepts" you now, if something goes awry with her daughter she can turn on you in an instant and have you arrested on a myriad of offenses from child endangerment to sexual assault to rape. If convicted of any charge dealing with a child and molestation you could be forced to register as a sex offender the rest of your life. And her Dad is really an unknown here too, correct? Think twice. No, think three times here.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.