Expert: Michael Troy - 11/15/2006

Question
okay i am a 15 year old and my boyfriend  is 20 we have been dating for almost 3 years now my mom is fine wit  us dating his mom is scared someone in my family will put him in jail because  of my family don't like him but my mom and her boyfriend  are okay with him we have been sexually active and i have been pregnant by him but i got an abortion. anyway i have been known to date older guys but when me and some of my family get in to an argument they threaten to put him in jail. We have a big fear of him going and honestly it has come between me and him. Can my family put him in jail with  no cause please give me al the info you  can about this subject thank you.


Answer
Hello,

The law in most States considers a 20 year old having sex with a 15 year old to be a felony.  You may not appreciate it now, but the law considers this exploitation and is trying to protect you.  Your boyfriend has put himself in a very difficult legal situation by having sex with you.  If authorities find out about it, he could be convicted as a sexual offender.  That fact that you are a willing participant is irrelevant.  The law considers you too young to consent to sex.

Sorry if this is not the answer you wanted, but I hope it helps.