1st Amendment and Free Speech/Please help me out..

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Expert: - 4/17/2007


Question
Is it legal for a 19 year old and a 16 year old to have a relationship (non-sexual) in the state of missouri if a parent disagrees? and what if the parents do agree?

Answer
Hi Ally,

This really has nothing to do with the First Amendment, and I am not allow to provide specific legal advice in this forum, but generally speaking there is no criminal prohibition against people having a non-sexual relationship.  However, a minor remains under the control of her parents until the age of majority (18).  A minor's continued and willful refusal to obey parents can be considered delinquency.  An adult who removes a child from her parents against their wishes could, in some circumstances be guilty of kidnapping.  On the other hand, if the parents accept the relationship, there is no legal prohibition that comes to mind.

I hope this helps!
- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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Michael Troy

Expertise

I will answer general questions regarding freedom of speech, petition, or religion. I specialize in cases involving public employment or education, as well as issues related to campaign finance. But I can`t give specific legal advice involving specific cases you might have.

Experience

As an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, I worked on a number of free speech cases, including Rosenberger v. Univ. of Virginia, in which the Supreme Court upheld my clients' right to run a student newspaper without discrimination because of its religious conent. I also worked on White v. Julian, which protected the right of people to protest against a homeless shelter in their neighborhood.

I also worked for the Federal Election Commission on several cases regarding the right to participate in the election process.

Organizations
Former Attorney for Center for Individual Rights.

Publications
Washington Post
Washington Times

Education/Credentials
J.D. from Univ. of Michigan Law School

Awards and Honors
Truman Scholar

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