Expert: Michael Troy - 4/14/2007

Question
I like a guy he is 17, 18 in July, and I am 14, 15 in June, and he likes me and I like him so the next natural step is to date. But his parents say that if we date they will file charges against him. If I am not having sex with him, neither of us are touching eachother in inappropriate places, and the is no nudity, all we do is kiss and hold hands can he legally be charged with child mulestation?  

Answer
Hi,

This realy is not a First Amendment issue, and laws on statutory rape differe greatly from State to State.  You may want to look up the law in your State on this site:

http://www.moraloutrage.net/staticpages/index.php?page=states

But if you re are not having sex, sexual touching, or nudity, I doubt any State would have criminal sanctions.  However, until you turn 18, your parents can legally control where you go and who you see, so they can have some control over hte siuation.  Also, keep in mind that your parents, right or wrong, have your best interests in mind.  Dating an older guy, even in a non-sexual way, results in all sorts of problems.  Don't just shut out your parents because they don't understand.  They were teenagers once too.

I hope this helps!
- Mike