Soulmate Gem
Photo by cottonbro studio Pexels Logo Photo: cottonbro studio

Is it OK for a 18 to date a 15?

In a Nutshell: Sex between an 18 year-old and a 15 year-old is illegal in California, meaning any touching of “private parts” of either, even with consent of both parties (and perhaps even the parents of each teenager) is illegal in California because the age of consent is 18.

What zodiac can keep a secret?
What zodiac can keep a secret?

Scorpio: A Scorpio will never reveal your secrets if you confide in them and advise them to zip their lips up. Being the most secretive of all...

Read More »
How do I know if Im rich or not?
How do I know if Im rich or not?

Respondents to Schwab's 2021 Modern Wealth Survey said a net worth of $1.9 million qualifies a person as wealthy. The average net worth of U.S....

Read More »

In a Nutshell : Sex between an 18 year-old and a 15 year-old is illegal in California, meaning any touching of “private parts” of either, even with consent of both parties (and perhaps even the parents of each teenager) is illegal in California because the age of consent is 18.

Torrance Courthouse

More shocking is the potential for the 15-year-old, once the relationship ends, to contact the police and, emotionally claim that she was forcibly raped by the 18-year-old, perhaps multiple times. After all, her consent is irrelevant. Her tears and the details of her claim help her credibility. The following question is often asked of our office. Our first response is usually, “well, what do you mean by dating?” After all, in today’s Snapchat / Instagram / text-messaging world of teenagers and young adults, “dating” may only be going to a school dance together or maybe a party at a friend’s house, supervised by parents. It also may be quite a bit more, including all forms of sex.“Dating,” if it includes nothing more than occasionally holding hands and going to dinner, studying together at a coffee shop, going to a movie or going to a school dance together – and nothing more – is perfectly fine. It is probably wise to have the parents of the young man and the young woman aware of the relationship and in approval of it.Even this seemingly safe level of a relationship, however, can trigger false accusations of statutory rape (Penal Code § 261.5), sexual battery (Penal Code § 243.4), child molestation (Penal Code § 647.6, also called annoying a child under 18), oral copulation with a minor (Penal Code § 288a) or, more generally, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child (Penal Code § 288(a)) by a jealous person, a mistaken observer or an angry parent who may not understand how serious the consequences of such accusations can be for the eighteen year old.The consequences may be that the 18-year-old is convicted, or enters into a plea bargain wherein he is ordered to register as a sex offender under Penal Code § 290 for the rest of his life, may be barred from many occupations and may be ostracized by all his friends and even his family.Worse yet, the 18-year-old may serve time in county jail or state prison, where sex offenders are treated with special contempt and often violence by other inmates. It can be a very dangerous place for a sex offender. One of our clients, age 18, spent time in county jail for statutory rape (he had quite a long record) and was attacked by other inmates, receiving a wound that required 90 stitches to close and left him with quite a scar.For purposes of this article, it is assumed that the fifteen-year-old is a female and the eighteen-year-old is a male.The critical law to understanding the gravity of the danger is to understand that a person under 18, under California law, cannot legally consent to sexual conduct (Penal Code § 261.5(a) (defining minor)). As mentioned above, a minor’s consent to sexual contact is irrelevant in the eyes of the law in California (in many other states, the age of consent is younger).Sometimes, there is no sexual contact, but the two who are “dating” may sext each other photographs that are meant to arouse the other and lead to sexual contact. This can be a violation of Penal Code § 288.2 (transmitting sexual images to a minor with the intent to arouse) or Penal Code § 288.3 (contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense).Our advice to any adult, including someone who is 18, who seeks to date a fifteen-year-old is simple: do not. Wait until she is 18. It is simply far too dangerous. While it may be coveted to claim one is “dating” such and so, there is a considerable price to pay if the minor wants revenge when the relationship ends or if a purportedly concerned parent wants to end the relationship. It is best to not claim one is “dating” another person even if one wants to say this. “Dating” can certainly imply sexual contact, which is illegal between a fifteen-year-old and an eighteen-year-old. This obviously can be a big problem.For more information about problems of dating a minor, please click on the following articles:

Which body part does girl like most in boy?
Which body part does girl like most in boy?

Sexiest Male Body Parts, According to Females Winner: Torso. According to a 2017 study performed by an online health provider, Dr. ... Runner Up:...

Read More »
Does love feel different as you age?
Does love feel different as you age?

Contrary to popular belief, older people are often happier and more romantically attached than their younger counterparts. The nature of these...

Read More »
How does a boy give a girl a hickey?
How does a boy give a girl a hickey?

Hickeys are basically just broken blood vessels caused by sucking, which results in a bruise. Though a bit of biting or hard kissing could...

Read More »
When should you stop loving a guy?
When should you stop loving a guy?

How to Know When It's Time to Let Go of Someone You Love Your needs aren't being met. You're seeking those needs from others. You're scared to ask...

Read More »