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17-year-old pregnant by 35-year-old
Texas
If a 17-year-old becomes pregnant by a 35-year-old, I know that is no longer statutory rape. But what if there are suspicions this 35-year-old had been with her before she turned 17? Maybe at age 16 and possibly as young as age 14. What legal options are available to the parents of the 17-year-old?
In Texas, a 17 year old may consent to sexual intercourse; however, if you feel there was sexual activity prior to the age of 17, it would be in your best interests to gather the facts in your situation, times/dates, history, etc... then make an appointment to speak directly to your District attorney's office. Given the age difference between them, this may be something the District Attorney would want to investigate. If you don't find them to be helpful, the next step would be to contact a local private attorney to be advised of your legal options including child support and custody rights, also to be advised on your city and county laws and policies.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/15/2010 - 11:34.
The age of consent in Texas is 17, meaning that a 17 year old may have consentual sex with a person of their choosing. However, the law does specify that their chosen partner may not be more or less than three years older/younger. So yes, a 35 year old with a 17 year old would violate the law. The 17 year old is still considered a minor in under the legal age of majority in Texas.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/04/2010 - 23:00.
The age of consent in Texas is 17 according to the Texas Penal Code. The above mentioned (or below depending on how it is displayed) comment regarding the three year age difference refers to an affirmative defense to this section of the penal code regarding "indecency with a child." The penal code states that it is an affirmative defense to this section that the person was not more than three years older than the person in question. This means that if a girl is 16 and the boy is 18 years and 364 days old then it is NOT a crime for them to "be together" because it is an affirmative defense under this section that he was not more than 3 years older than her. The people must be of opposite sex and it may NOT be an educator and student relationship. Those are both crimes under seperate parts of the penal code. The penal code states that a person must be over 14 years old, anyone younger would constitute abuse of a child. The penal code does not state anything about a person not being able to be more than 3 years older than a person who is 17. If the person is 17, either male or female, they may consent to be with anyone of any age older than them of the opposite sex if they so please so long as its not their educator. If anyone knows something I don't please reply to this and cite where in the penal code my comments are inaccurate.
I am 32 years old male living in Texas and I have the possibility of being with a 17 years old girl. We both live in Texas.
Is this legal?