Found an issue on this page? Let us know and we will look into it as soon as possible.
Is it illegal for a 14 year old and a 17 year old to date?
Anonymous1 views1 answers
I just turned 14 years old in march and I have a boyfriend that is 17 years old and will be turning 18 in september. We've been dating for 10 months. Two months after my boyfriend turned 17 his father freaked out and made rules that keep us from hugging, kissing, holding hands, showing PDA or practically being around eachother. We've lasted with these rules for longer than 5 months. My boyfriend and I have NOT had sex and are not interested in having sex.
So my question is... is it illegal for a 14 year old to date a 17 year old and be allowed to hug, kiss, hold hands and show PDA? Will I get him in trouble if we continue to date?
The short answer to your last question is: probably, yes.
ANYTHING "romantic" that might happen between you could be interpreted by police as falling somewhere under §800.04, Fla. Statutes (read the whole section carefully): http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0800/SEC04.HTM
Also, you and HE should understand that most people who might find themselves on his jury will not look kindly on a 17 year old having dated a thirteen year old (and 18 and fourteen isn't much better). You should also know that most prosecutors would feel little remorse about sending him to prison after prosecuting him as an adult; I say this as a former prosecutor who sent a young man to prison for "dating" a girl about your age.
As painful as it might be, your best course of action (if you want your boyfriend to avoid serious trouble) is to obey his father's rules until you are 16 years old.
