Question about previous "age of consent" run-in

[canIbeone]

For Florida law it states:

(1) A person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this section, "sexual activity" means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.

(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to a person 16 or 17 years of age who has had the disabilities of nonage removed under chapter 743.

(3) The victim's prior sexual conduct is not a relevant issue in a prosecution under this section.

(4) If an offense under this section directly results in the victim giving birth to a child, paternity of that child shall be established as described in chapter 742. If it is determined that the offender is the father of the child, the offender must pay child support pursuant to the child support guidelines described in chapter 61.

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I'm interested in applying to be a law enforcement officer in Florida. I currently live in Florida. My girlfriend and I started dating when I was 23 and she was 17. That was legal. However, between our birthdays, mine being first, there was a 2 month gap where I was 24 and she was 17. Thus being a 2nd degree felony according to the law.

That was last year. We were together 6 months prior to the 2 month gap, and have been together after the 2 month gap for nearly 7 months as well. Nor I or her were ever aware that it may be illegal in any way. If we had known we would've done whatever was appropriate to the law.

If I disclose this information during the application process will it seriously DQ me? Also, another worry... can I still be arrested for it? How long do I have to wait till I'm absolved of it? Maybe I'm better off waiting a year and then applying?

[GoDirectly2Jail]

If I disclose this information during the application process will it seriously DQ me?

If you don't disclose it and they find out (which they will), I can guarantee you be be DQ'ed.

Also, another worry... can I still be arrested for it? How long do I have to wait till I'm absolved of it? Maybe I'm better off waiting a year and then applying?

It depends upon the statute of limitations for that offense. Felonies generally have a long statute of limitations, and since you said this happened just a year ago, you probably could still be arrested.

Maybe someone from Florida can chime in with specifics.

[canIbeone]

I planned on disclosing the information. I'm a very truthful person, and I'm bad at telling lies; so I would never lie for something like this, knowing what could happen.

I'm just worried that I'd say it, and they'd be like "oh, that was a felony, you're under arrest" :-/ maybe I need to wait a year (at least, a year from her birthday)

[Taz_bb2]

My understanding is that, because she is a minor, her parents would have to be the one to file the charges against you. The SAO isn't going to just file on you because of an admission like that. It would be extremely hard for them to prove intent.

As long as everything is on the up and up, meaning disclose it, and her parents are cool with you, you should be ok.

[canIbeone]

O yea, her parents, and mine, etc were always and have always been completely ok with it.

I guess all I can do is try. I just hope it doesn't DQ me! Neither of us even thought about it; we read the law and realized everything was fine, but forgot that I'd turn 24 while she was 17 for 2 months before she was 18 unfortunately...

thanks for the replies

[Fury]

Gross

[canIbeone]

Gross

Is that your professional opinion? Thanks for the flame/jab.

After looking, it looks like you're ~21. That's funny, because when I was 18 I dated a 26 year old. But what makes that ok and not what happened with my girlfriend, actually fiance', and I.

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

"canIbeone," as in an inmate? Quite possibly.

[Cat_Doc]

It seems to me that since you are planning on marrying your girlfriend, and have been in a steady relationship prior to the marriage, that this issue would be evaluated in a favorable light.

Notice I referenced marriage, twice, in one sentence? I did so for a reason.

This is completely different than what was admitted by a previous poster who boasted of numerous sexual encounters with teen's, one as young as 14, then had the balls to ask if that would DQ him from being a police officer.

[Drew27k9]

I'm a very truthful person, and I'm bad at telling lies;

Yeah but your not being honest coming here and posting with two different user names are you cieje :rolleyes:

Now your banned under both names.

[SARG]

Sometimes it's better to ignore certain details. Not to say omission is always appropriate ....... but common sense would dictate.........
REMEMBER THE MOTTO when making decisions >> Reasonable....necessary .... Right thing to do.
Two out of three wins.

[txinvestigator1]

Sometimes it's better to ignore certain details. Not to say omission is always appropriate ....... but common sense would dictate.........
REMEMBER THE MOTTO when making decisions >> Reasonable....necessary .... Right thing to do.
Two out of three wins.

Nice. so you suggest not telling the whole truth when applying to be a cop?

I smell loser.

[SARG]

Yes.... you are & Yes..... you do.

[ColdFreezer02]

WOW SARG that is such bad advice. They will find out what he did through a backround investigation, even if the poly doesn't expose the lie. Being from NY, I don't want people like you to be a cop here. :rolleyes:

[dirtysubie]

IBTL ...."another one gone, another one gone, and another one bites the dust." Sorry for that, I felt like singing