Im a 21 yr old male, my girlfriend is 17 and pregnant. She will be 18 when the baby is due. Her parents are considering pressing statutory rape charges. The age of consent in Michigan is 16, I think. Is it possible for them to charge me for anything still?
2006-09-17 14:11:51 · 15 answers · asked by dmc 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
People have gone to jail for "i think".
You need to check with a lawyer, but the age of consent is still 18 in most of the country.
They can get married at 16, with parental consent, but only in a few states
2006-09-17 14:14:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
Since the legal age in Michigan is 16 and the girl is 17 now, you are only four years her elder. You are safe and cannot be charged with statutory rape. Is there a legitimately reason the parents would want to have you charged with this? Are you talking about marriage or just you are the father of the unborn child? I believe the parents are bluffing you for some ungodly reason(s). They really don't know you are the father until baby is born and a DNA is taken.
2006-09-17 15:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by skyeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand where some of you are coming from. But, this statutory rape thing is one of the biggest piles of b.s. today. Until the 70's, it was a crime for a girl under age 18 to have sex, because it was believed that if she got pregnant, it would be a burden on her parents or the society.
The feminists said that wasn't right, that it should not be a crime if it's not a crime for an adult woman. so, in no state that I know of, and I really don't know 100% of them, is it a crime for a 17 or 16 or 15 or 14 year old girl to have sex with anyone she wants.
However, depending upon that age of the man, he may go to jail for years for something that society says is okay for her to do with him.
Beam me up, Scotty, there is no intelligent life down here.
And, I assure you, historically, 15 - 17 year old girls do tend to fall in love with boys 18 - 25. Maybe you don't like it, but its true.
If my daughter were still that young, and decided to be sexually active, I would much rather she have a lover 25 -35 so he can pay support or marry her. Yet, it's a crime, but some 16 year old loser boy who can't buy a candy bar, well, that's just fine! Dumb! Really dumb!
2006-09-17 14:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by retiredslashescaped1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a tangled web. . .
If the age of consent is 16, then your girlfriend was old enough in the eyes of the law to consent to sex. If it is not, then you have a long, hard road ahead of you.
What I would do is consult a lawyer. They will be able to explain the law to you and what you will need to do. They will also be able to do something in your defense if it does come down to a court battle. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
I do question your integrity though. I mean, you are 21. Yes, it is only a few years difference, but the age difference between 17 and 21 is greater maturity wise than that of a 28 year old and a 24 year old. Judgement might be questionable.
I also hope you own up financially to the mother of your child and your child. I don't think it would be fair to expect the parents of your girlfriend to support her and your baby. But that is just me.
2006-09-17 14:18:44 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a quick scan of the Michigan consent laws, the fact that she is over 16 and you're not 5 years older than her makes it seem that they cannot press statutory rape charges. There are other circumstances that could make you liable, such as being her teacher or in some position of power over her, such as her boss or supervisor.
Your girlfriend, on behalf of the child, would have a case for child support. It's doubtful that the parents could bring such an action unless they took custody of the child.
2006-09-17 14:16:54 · answer #5 · answered by question_ahoy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know nothing about Mich. law, but I know someone who married a 12 year old in Ala. with her mothers consent. Since girls mature earlier than boys,(my mom was 16, dad was 20 when they married in 1955, she was the most mature, he ran away when I was 1 plus)Unless the girl is retarded, she should be mature enough to know what she wants as far as a husband goes. If she was with a 17 year old boy, it would be like being with a 14 year old. Most boys at 17, are not ready to take on parental responsibility, but girls are. My mother did a great job raising me. In this particular case, I don't see anything wrong. It's not like you are a child molester. Once upon a time, a 17 year old girl would have been considered an old maid. I just hope you are a mature 21. good luck! take care of that baby, it needs a father too.
2006-09-17 15:09:59 · answer #6 · answered by renaissance man 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct - Section 750.520b
(a) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree if he or she engages in sexual penetration with another person and if any of the following circumstances exists:
That other person is under 13 years of age
That other person is at least 13 but less than 16 years of age and any of the following:
The actor is a member of the same household as the victim
The actor is related to the victim by blood or affinity to the fourth degree
The actor is in a position of authority over the victim and used this authority to coerce the victim to submit
This is pertaining specifically to Michigan legislation.
If she is 17, they cannot press charges, according to this information...... good luck to you both.
2006-09-17 14:16:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If she consented and was 17 you are probably OK, but check with an attorney to be sure. This is important enough to pay fifty bucks to know for sure the current status of the law.
2006-09-17 14:15:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is michigan right? the age of consent is NOT 16! check the website of the state police its under there the charges on the sex offenders list! would strongly urge you to do this and then its great advice to talk with an attorney!
2006-09-17 14:23:15 · answer #9 · answered by L E. G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As far as I know its 16, I'm in Michigan as well.
2006-09-17 14:20:44 · answer #10 · answered by Katie Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋