Teen Pregnancy

[Bob102]

My question involves paternity law for the State of: Tennessee

Im am a 15 year old boy and my girlfriend is currently 15 years of age and possibly could be pregent could i get in trouble for getting her pregent if we went to get an abortion or anything that concerns doctors if the state finds out? Could i be charged for anything?

[aardvarc]

Tennessee requires a minor seeking abortion to either have parental permission or she can go to the county court and ask a judge to bypass that requirement (give her a waiver). She's not able to just walk in and get an abortion on the sly - either her parents OR the state must be involved.

Statutory rape charges don't apply since she is over age 13 and you are less than 4 years older than her (per the updated TN statutory rape requirements under the Child Protection Act of 2006).

That doesn't mean you're off the hook however. Until she is 18 years old, her parents have the ability to get a restraining order where a court tells you to stay away from their daughter. Violation of that order means you go to jail for disobeying the judge's order (contempt of court).

Do yourself a BIG favor, and learn everything you can about birth control, and USE it. Yourself. Do NOT rely on HER to take all the precautions. YOU are the one who is going to held legally and financially accountable for any children you father until those children are 18 years old so YOU need to take full control and responsibility if you're going to be sexually active.