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Underage Relationships

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rocko_bad2000

Junior Member
I am a high school senior in El Paso, Texas. I am 16 years of age. I am dating a girl that is currently 14 years of age. I will not turn 18 until December of next year. I do not seek sexual contact with her. When I turn 18, I don't know if our relationship will become illegal. Some peers and teachers have told me it will become illegal, but I still have my doubts. Would it still be considered illegal even if we started dating before I turned 18? Please do not make assumptions or bias statements. I would like facts and laws please.
 


Being not more than 3 years older than her is an affirmative defense in TX. You would be ok.

Basically, if her parents don't like you, you'll hear a lot about it being illegal. If they do, it probably won't cross anyone's mind to think about it.
 

Nativity

Member
Being not more than 3 years older than her is an affirmative defense in TX. You would be ok.

Basically, if her parents don't like you, you'll hear a lot about it being illegal. If they do, it probably won't cross anyone's mind to think about it.
Seeing how the Age of consent in Texas is 17, he would NOT be okay.
 

The Occultist

Senior Member
PhlawedPharmacy is actually correct here. A simple Google search yielded this:

Sec. 21.11. INDECENCY WITH A CHILD. (a) A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years and not the person's spouse, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex, the person:

(1) engages in sexual contact with the child or causes the child to engage in sexual contact; or

(2) with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:

(A) exposes the person's anus or any part of the person's genitals, knowing the child is present; or

(B) causes the child to expose the child's anus or any part of the child's genitals.

(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor:

(1) was not more than three years older than the victim and of the opposite sex;


(2) did not use duress, force, or a threat against the victim at the time of the offense; and

(3) at the time of the offense:

(A) was not required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or

(B) was not a person who under Chapter 62 had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section.

(c) In this section, "sexual contact" means the following acts, if committed with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:

(1) any touching by a person, including touching through clothing, of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a child; or

(2) any touching of any part of the body of a child, including touching through clothing, with the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a person.

(d) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree and an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a felony of the third degree.
As long as the OP has no sexual-related crimes on his record and is less that 36 months older than his girlfriend, he is doing nothing wrong. Well, legally speaking, anyways.

Now, OP, do keep in mind that while you are innocent as far as Indecency with a Child goes, other charges, such as Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, might be applied to you, so tread carefully.

I also agree with Zig that the odds are against the two of you still being together by the time you turn 18.
 
Last edited:

cbg

I'm a Northern Girl
I'd like to make a distinction here.

No matter what state he is in, he may DATE anyone whose parents give her permission. What he cannot do is have sexual contact with someone who is underage, whatever underage is in the specific state.

DATING is not managed under the law. Sex is.
 

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