1st Amendment and Free Speech/Legal Age?

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Expert: - 3/6/2009


Question
Hello I'm currently 17 and my girlfriend is almost 14..and i live in Ohio is there anything wrong with me and her dating like could we get in trouble..you say no sexual contact but what do you mean by that? and we do not have plans on having sex anytime soon i no I'm not legally allowed to so i don't want us to get in trouble..so please message me back.

Answer
Darrin,

I don't think I have had any contact with you before so I am not sure what I have said.  However, understand that the problems with dating at your age is that it transcends mere moral issues and can actually cause many young men and some women criminal problems as well. You are 17 and are a minor yourself.  You are probably OK.  Ask your girlfriend's parent or parents if they mind.  They are the ones you need to convince.  However, much depends upon your local laws.  When in doubt Google your own local law by typing in "statutory rape" for your state.  Even better is just call your local police department to get the facts.  I am writing this not for your benefit but for the many people who will read this in the future.  I am not sure how the topic of 1st Amendment and Free Speech became the forum for young people to ask if their relationship is legally valid, but like anything else in this life, if your gut tells you there is a problem, it most likely is.  

In general if an adult in a relationship is four or more years older than the other minor party who is 16-17 or younger (depending upon the state and municipality) then there is a statutory rape or other corruption of a minor (or other) problem.    

I hope this answer helps.  Best of luck.



Jeffrey-Peter Hauck
Pennsylvania Licensed Private Detective
http://private-eye.homestead.com  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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Jeffrey-Peter Hauck

Expertise

I would welcome the opportunity to answer questions related to or relating to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Experience

Adjunct professor of criminal justice and political science teaching the courses of "criminal law" and "constitutional law" among others. Decorated retired 15 year veteran police sergeant, twice promoted through the civil service commission. Served in the capacities of patrol officer, training officer, SWAT officer, first line patrol supervisor and administrative supervisor. Holder of over 50 certifications relating to police instruction. Currently a licensed private detective. 8 year veteran of the United States Army as a Staff-Sergeant/ E-6. Served as Platoon Sergeant and other roles. Primary MOS was 11B3PF7, Airborne Infantry NCO and Pathfinder. Cross trained as supply NCO (76Y) and administration NCO (71L). Graduate of PLDC, BNCOC, and ANCOC leadership schools. Current subject matter expert and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear) Commissioned Chemical Branch Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Organizations
ASIS International. Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA). Academy of Security Educators and Trainers (ASET). American Society of Criminology (ASC). National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). International Tae Kwon Do Union (ITU).

Publications
Published Full length novel, “Ports And Happy Havens,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright. ISBN: 1-4208-1261-0. Full length novel, “The Awful Grace Of God,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright (publishing in progress). Review & Discussion of the case of: Rydzewski v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Summer 2002. Review & Discussion of the case of: Burley v. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. Review & Discussion of the case of: LTV Steel Company, Inc. v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. “Model Emergency Response Team Policy and Member’s Manual.” 1999. Copyright. “Women’s Fundamental Self-Defense Manual.” 1998. Copyright. “Handcuffing Techniques Manual For Loss Prevention Officers.” 2002. Copyright.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Widener University School of Law. Harrisburg, PA. Graduate of the Law and Government Institute of Widener University School of Law. Certification in Law & Government. Harrisburg, PA. B.A. Criminal Justice, DeSales University. Center Valley, PA. Certified Legal Assistant & Paralegal, Blackstone Career Institute, Emmaus, PA. Licensed Private Detective, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Certified Special & General Law Enforcement Academy Educator/Trainer Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Training And Education Commission (MPOTEC). Certified Law Enforcement Trainer (CLET) Certification, American Society for Law Enforcement Training (ASLET), Frederick, MD. Municipal Police Officer Certificate of Training & Licensure (Act 120), Police Academy Training.

Awards and Honors
United States Army Meritorious Service Medal. United States Army Commendation Medal, awarded twice. United States Army Achievement Medal, awarded four times. United States Army Good Conduct Medal. United States Army Expert Infantry Badge. United States Army Parachutist Badge. Government of Honduras Parachutist Badge. United States Army Air-Assault Badge. United States Army Pathfinder Badge. American Police Hall of Fame’s “Legion of Honor Award for Line of Duty Injury.” Venerable Order of The Knights of Michael The Archangel, “Knight Chevalier Award.” American Police Hall of Fame’s “Honor Award.” The John Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal for Distinguished Public Service Award. American Police Hall of Fame “Long and Honorable Service Certificate.” American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens’ “George Washington Second Amendment Gun Rights Award.” American Police Hall of Fame “President’s National Medal of Patriotism.” Widener University School of Law “Dean’s Honor List.” International Tae Kwon Do Union’s (ITU) World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame Award for “Assistant Instructor of the Year,” 2002. “Who’s Who Among American Law Students,” 22nd Edition, 2002 Recognition Award. World Karate Union Hall of Fame, “Instructor Of The Year For Police Control Tactics & Self-Defense,” 2004.

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