Legal question.

I know that older people can get in a lot of trouble if they go out with someone under the age of 18. But what if say, you started dating someone when you're 16 and they're 17 and then they turn 18... would the couple have to break up? Or does the law not count that?

depends on the state. in some states the age of consent is 16 so they wouldnt have that problem with 17 and 18 year olds. but it does seem that the law would still considering the relationship to be an adult with a minor in some states (most), therefor, not illegal to have a relationship, just illegal to have sex, it would still be considered statutory (sp?) rape. not 100% on all of the laws, but if an adult has an "intimate" relationship with a minor, it is considered illegal in the light of the law..

i know about this cause a friend of mine (18) got my best friend (17) pregnant. and the law (and parents) has kept them apart since they found out about it... she turns 18 in march, baby is due in feb...

but anyways yea, the relationship is fine, as long as it doesnt go too far, and the law doesnt find out.

hope i helped.

~chris

That's weird. I mean, I'm not going out with anyone right now but, my best friend's sister was going out with a twenty year old last year when she was 15...that couldn't have been legal. And her little sister now is 12 and she's going out with a sixteen year old.

That's kind of strange though.. I mean if two kids are over 16 and they're sexually active and then one of them turns 18 and then it's BOOM, jail time?

until you are 18, you are considered a minor, therefore you cannot be given an adult sentence, but once you turn 18, you assume the respnsibilities and most benefits of being an adult.. therefore you can be tried as an adult in the court of law. so if both are underage, then they would probably still separate em and everything, but wouldnt give them jail because they are minors. and if one is 15, the other is 12... they assume the 15 should have known better than the 12, therefore giving him/her the harsher punishment. but lets say 2 17 year olds are "active" and one turns 18 and is turned in, he/she would be guilty of "having sexual relations with a minor" which is against the law, and will be given the adult punishment, and the other would most likely get a "minor"s punishment such as juvenile hall or simply restrictions placed upon the relationship... all depends on the specific situation, the mood of the judge, and the severity of the action

You can find find the legal age of consent for your country/state here:

http://www.ageofconsent.com/ageofconsent.htm