1st Amendment and Free Speech/Love and Age

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Expert: - 5/11/2007


Question
Hi im a 19 year old guy and i love this girl who is 14 and she loves me too,i kiss and hug her and i take good care of her,i want to know if this is an ok thing to do because we're 5 years apart and i dont want to feel guilty of anything,we both really like each other,we dont plan on having sex until the moment is right..can you help me plz?

Answer
Nick,

You do not list what state you reside in but my experience tells me that most states protect children at 14 years of age and that most states will prosecute adults four years or older who try to become romantically involved with them.

It appears that you qualify in that regard.  My advice is to stop contact immediately or run the risk of being charged with statutory rape which is a "per se" crime where no excuses as to age or consent are valid.  Potentially, depending again upon what state you currently reside in, you could be afoul of the law right now.

Consult with a qualified lawyer from your jurisdiction to see exactly what the provisions for statutory rape are.

If you are serious about your conviction of love perhaps your lawyer can find out what provisions are necessary to obtain permission for you to marry the child.  

Remember however, that you are an adult in the eyes of the law and she is a child.  My advice is to stop all contact and seek competent legal advice.

I hope this information is helpful.  

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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