Statuatory Rape, and Juvenile Laws - Mental Health Message Board

J_girl_1772 · 04-27-2001, 07:28 AM

I was wondering if anyone could give me some information concerning the statuatory rape laws for the U.S. (Michigan, particularly). My boyfriend's mother and her fiance keep insisting that he could get 25 years just for going out with me, and more if he got me pregnant, etc. He is 17 and I am 15, but there's exactly two and half years between us. They've been saying this for the past 8 months, and I would just like some information to convince them they're wrong so they'll get off of my case. They also were saying that if a police officer pulled us over and asked us our ages that my boyfriend could get arrested, now I know that's not true, but his parents need some convincing. I would really appreciate it,
luv lots ;0)
Lauren

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 06-08-2003).]

Girlie19 · 04-27-2001, 09:11 AM

Maybe his parents don't like you and are trying to scare you of...

Arney · 04-27-2001, 09:17 AM

If he has sex with you when he is 18 or older and you are younger than 18 (the age of consent in most states), then I believe he can be charged with statutory rape.

redfox · 04-27-2001, 09:28 AM

In some states, he doesn't even have to be 18 or over. I think you need to find out from a lawyer or someone in your state. I think it's odd that your bf's mom and fiance are having this conversation with you. I hope you get it straightened out.

whitewolf95 · 04-27-2001, 12:56 PM

I went ahead and looked it myself. Youre mother is right....you are underage. State law requires you to be 16 to able to consent to sex with him.
You might want to back off on the relationship just to make your mom happy and to keep your boyfriend out of jail.

Here is something from the site I listed above that if from your state.

The case in which four former students at Grosse Pointe North High School have been
ordered to stand trial on charges of criminal sexual conduct involving three underage
girls has revived the debate about statutory rape laws.

The girls say they were forced into sex or plied with liquor until they were too
incapacitated to object. There are some strange details in the case that cast doubt on
their stories. But whether or not they consented is legally irrelevant. The defendants are
charged with statutory rape, which requires only that the alleged victim
be over 12 and under 16. At the time of the incidents, the boys were 17 and 18 and the girls were 14.

Unlike some other states, Michigan does not set a minimum age for defendants or
require a minimum age gap between victim and defendant. Formally, the law does not
differentiate between a 30-year-old who has sex with a 13-year-old and a 19-year-old
who has sex with a 15-year-old.